Probe over sex-for-asylum claims

Home Office under fire again amid claims of a sex for asylum scandal

Sunday, 21, May 2006 12:00

An immigration officer has been suspended after allegations that he offered to help a teenage asylum seeker in return for sexual favours.

The Home Office official targeted an 18-year-old Zimbabwean, offering to coach her on questions for the asylum interview, according to the Observer.

The officer at Lunar House in Croydon in south London made it clear he wanted sex in return for his help.

He has been suspended "pending a full investigation", according to a Home Office spokeswoman.

An investigation by the newspaper found that the senior immigration officer had targeted the woman over a two-week period.

He sent her text messages suggesting that he was attracted to her, and said he would help her with her asylum application.

In a subsequent 90-minute meeting in Croydon last Wednesday, he said he "knew how to win her case."

When she asked for assurances that he would help her, he allegedly told her to come to a hotel with him. "I will tell you when we are alone because you are going to have sex," he said.

The Observer said that although he said he would not break any rules to help the woman, attempting a relationship with her and offering to handle her application was a breach of immigration service guidelines.

It is the latest in a series of blows for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND).

Hundreds of foreign prisoners were allowed out of jail without being considered for deportation, and it was claimed last week that five illegal immigrants had cleaned the IND's offices for three years.