Bordering On Intransigence
Alliance and the Liberal Democrats are accusing the UK Borders Agency of "intransigence" and engaging in "semantics" when devolved politicians try to make representations on immigration cases. The parties claim the Agency will deal with members of the Scottish parliament, but refuses to handle representations from MLAs or their counterparts in the Welsh assembly.
The Lib Dem NI spokesperson Alistair Carmichael raised the matter with Harriet Harman in the Commons, arguing that the Borders Agency "should not be in the business of dictating to citizens who they should go to in order to get help with immigration problems."
I've asked the Home Office for a response and will let you know if and when they get back to me.
UPDATE: The Home Office has given me the following quote from the Immigration Minister Phil Woolas. "Immigration is a matter reserved to the UK Government and Westminster Parliament. It is essential that the lines of accountability are clear on this important issue. Constituents can continue to raise any concerns and have their cases represented by their Westminster MP. This position concerns constituency correspondence via letter or MP's enquiry line only. The UK Border Agency will continue to engage with all levels of Government, as it would any interested party, on general or policy issues."
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