The Daily Mail reports this morning that the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, has allegedly been employing Loloahi Tapui, an illegal immigrant from Tonga, as a servant at her home in London.
Lady Scotland says that she was unaware of Ms Tapui’s illegal status – which I am entirely sure is the case – and has fired her immediately.
However, the matter cannot be allowed to rest there. A few months ago, a constituent of mine was fined £5,000 for employing an illegal worker, notwithstanding that the man’s papers were, on their face, entirely in order. His ignorance of his emplyee’s true legal status was no defence. I am sure that most other Members of Parliament have similar tales to tell.
As Attorney General, Lady Scotland is the Government’s principal legal adviser. It is consequently a matter of considerable public concern that there should be no doubt whatever as to the legality of any of her actions.
Lady Scotland should therefore ask for immediate inquiries to be made into her own conduct and give serious consideration as to whether, until those inquiries have been completed, she can properly continue to act in her important office.
