Scotland Fined Over Illegal Employee

Attorney General Baroness Scotland has been fined £5,000 for employing a migrant worker.

The government's chief law adviser in England and Wales employed the Tongan national as a housekeeper.

It was later revealed the woman's visa had expired and she did not have the right to work in the UK.

Lady Scotland was in "technical breach" of rules on hiring migrant workers, after failing to keep a copy of the documents originally shown by Loloahi Tapui.

The UK Borders Agency found she had not knowingly employed the illegal worker.

Chief executive Lin Homer recognised Lady Scotland had taken steps to check documents "provided to her as proof of right to work in the UK".

But added: "However, the law requires that employers must keep copies of documents proving the right to work in the UK and in this instance the employer failed to meet this requirement."

A civil penalty of £5,000 was imposed.

It is understood Lady Scotland has not be asked to stand down from the cabinet.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier said her position in government would be decided following the publication a UK Border Agency's investigation into the case.

"I will have to see the report, I will have to look at it, I will have to see what they actually say," he said.

During her time at the Home Office, Lady Scotland played a key role in pushing through legislation on the employment of migrants.

Some opposition politicians have stopped short of calling for Lady Scotland to be sacked.

However, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said she was in an "awkward" position, while Tory Eric Pickles suggested she was "unlikely to survive" in her job much longer.

(PR/GK)