Attorney General Sacks 'Illegal' Employee

A top Government legal adviser, Baroness Scotland has sacked her housekeep, who was allegedly working in the UK illegally.

Lady Scotland is the Attorney General For England Wales and Northern Ireland.

She had employed 27-year-old Tongan national Loloahi Tapui as a housekeeper for six months.

It is believed Ms Tapui's work visa had expired, something Lady Scotland, as her employer, was responsible for checking.

The Labour peer has since dismissed Ms Tapui, who Lady Scotland said had been employed "in good faith".

If convicted of knowingly employing an illegal immigrant employers can face a two year jail term or an unlimited fine.

If a defendant can prove they were unaware of their employee's illegal status, the courts can impose a fine of up to £10,000.

A spokesman for Lady Scotland said: "She hired Ms Tapui in good faith and saw documents which led her to believe that Ms Tapui was entitled to work in this country."

The spokesman added Lady Scotland would "never knowingly employed an illegal immigrant".

Before being recruited by the cabinet minister, Ms Tapui was in registered employment.

She was registered for tax and national insurance prior to being hired, and Lady Scotland had paid tax and national insurance on her wages, the spokesman said.

"At no stage prior to the matter being raised did Baroness Scotland believe there was any question over Ms Tapui's entitlement to work."

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said the Labour government had projected a 'one rule for them, one rule for us' attitude.

Prior to her appointment as Attorney General two years ago, Lady Scotland worked at the Home Office, which oversees matters relating to the employment of illegal immigrants.

(PR/BMcc)