Baroness let housekeeper work in UK 'without seeing passport'
September 28 2009 by Mark Johnstone
Loloahi Tapui (left) and Baroness Scotland
The former housekeeper to Baroness Scotland at the centre of the UK visa scandal, has accused her former employer of never asking to see her passport.
Tongan Loloahi Tapui was speaking to the Mail on Sunday newspaper in a deal brokered by PR publicist Max Clifford. Tapui claimed she was given a brief interview before being illegally hired to work in the UK for the Attorney General.
She went on to say she admits she stayed illegally in the UK following the expiry of her student visa.
The illegal immigrant’s claims are contrary to Baroness Scotland’s testimony last week that she saw a passport. Baroness Scotland was fined £5000 for failing to take copies of Ms Tapui’s documents.
This latest twist involving the UK immigration law-maker has led to calls for Baroness Scotland to resign despite her receiving the backing of prime minister Gordon Brown.
One influential voice who has urged the Attorney General to quit is Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling.
In an interview with the the BBC, Grayling is quoting as saying: "The Home Office rushed through an investigation without listening to all the evidence, and the prime minister exonerated Lady Scotland before the housekeeper had even been questioned.
"This is increasingly looking like an attempted whitewash that has gone badly wrong."
Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, added: "Law makers should not be law breakers, and this applies even more to Baroness Scotland due to her special position as chief law officer. Her position now looks untenable."
Labour MP Stephen Hesford resigned as a parliamentary aide to her department on Thursday of last week, citing Baroness Scotland’s involvement in the UK visa scandal as his reason.
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