IMMIGRATION Minister Caroline Nokes has been asked to explain herself to MPs over fears she “misled” them on tax rejection cases.
Last week Nokes, appearing for the government in a debate on the treatment of highly-skilled migrants, said around 2000 visa applications were currently under review.
They concern medics, IT specialists and other professionals denied residency in the UK over corrections to their tax returns under rule 322.5, which allows refusals for bad character, terrorism involvement and criminality. Nokes said no such knock-back had ever been successfully challenged at judicial review.
The process, which allows for the overturning of government decisions, is the only appeal route available in many immigration cases.
But The National revealed this was untrue and told how one barrister disputed the Home Office line following his win.
Another has since confirmed success in five of his challenges.
Yesterday, SNP MP Alison Thewliss, who brought last week’s debate, used Prime Minister’s Questions to demand Nokes explain how or why she “misled” the House. She said: “I’m very concerned that the minister for immigration has misled the House in Westminster Hall either through omission or through deliberate misuse of a statement. Would she be able to bring this to the House?”
The call provoked a reprimand from Speaker John Bercow, who said the rules prevent MPs from accusing ministers had lied deliberately and advised her to “suggest there might have been inadvertence involved”.
Thewliss countered: “The minister may have inadvertently misled the House, but she certainly read from a pre-prepared statement as far as I could ascertain, so I think it would be useful if the minister could come to the House and explain this statement that she made last week, because it is deeply concerning that people have quite clearly won at judicial review and the minister either did not know that or share it with the House.”
Cautioning Thewliss, Bercow said: “Every member of this House is responsible for the veracity of what he or she says to it. That includes ministers.”
The Highly Skilled Migrants campaign group said: “Alison Thewliss is right to make Caroline Nokes accountable to the House.”
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