Immigration minister steps down after discovering Colombian-born cleaner was not allowed to remain in Britain
BRITAIN’s immigration minister has resigned after it emerged the cleaner of his home was an illegal immigrant.
Mark Harper, the Conservative MP for Forest of Dean, said it was “the right course” for him to leave the government and return to the backbenches.
He made the discovery last month when Home Office officials confirmed his Colombian-born cleaner Isabella Acevedo had no right to be in the UK and did not have indefinite leave to remain.
Miss Acevedo had been working for Mr Harper as a cleaner since 2007 and although she did have leave to remain in the UK at the time, this permission had since expired.
In his resignation letter to David Cameron, Mr Harper said: “Although I complied with the law at all times, I consider that as immigration minister, who is taking legislation through Parliament which will toughen up our immigration laws, I should hold myself to a higher standard than expected of others.
“I have also considered the impact on my Parliamentary colleagues, the government and you. I have always believed that politics is a team game, not an individual sport. Under the circumstances, I have therefore decided that the right course is for me to return to the backbenches.
“I am sorry for any embarrassment caused.”
Labour MP John Mann has formally called on the Metropolitan Police to investigate.
He told police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe: “It has emerged that Mr Harper paid an illegal immigrant to clean his flat and iron his clothes, and failed to keep the documentation that he claims was given to him when the arrangement began.
“I believe that there is precedent in this area, and feel that an investigation is necessary.”
Mr Harper had been responsible for steering a controversial immigration bill through parliament, which will require landlords to make check their tenants’ passports.
The Government said the move was part of plans to clamp down on illegal immigrants who “take advantage of our services”.
The Immigration Bill, which is currently being considered by the House of Lords, also proposes to make students and other temporary residents pay for the NHS, reduce deportation appeals and prevent illegal immigrants from applying for bank accounts and driving licences.