United Kingdom - January 2006 Immigration News Headlines

UK investigates sex for visas claim

Published on: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:40:45 GMT

The British Home Office is investigating allegations that immigration officials have been granting visas to foreign nationals in exchange for sexual favours. A report in The Sun newspaper focuses on allegations by a former administration officer at one of Britain's main immigration processing centres in the south London suburb of Croydon.

"These are serious allegations and I will ensure that they are fully investigated," Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said in a statement.

"Clearly I will not condone this type of behaviour."

The officer, Anthony Pamnani, has said corrupt officials at the centre regularly had sex with female applicants in return for extending their visas.

Mr Pamnani said officials at the centre exploited women applicants whom they found attractive by extending their visas in return for sex.

"One girl came in and told us an admin officer had visited her flat and they slept together. She got indefinite leave to stay," he told the paper.

He said women they considered too ugly would often be mocked behind their backs and have their applications denied.

He said the staff had a particular preference for Brazilian women, who would often get a visa that lasted twice as long as any male Brazilians who accompanied them.

His account also contained allegations that vital checks at the centre were being ignored, which could easily have resulted in wanted criminals sneaking into the country.

Mr Pamnani said he quit his post because his complaints about corruption were ignored.

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