Lin Homer

Chief Executive
United Kingdom Border Agency
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

BY POST
FAX 0870 33 69 050 and
EMAIL lin.homer@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

17th September, 2009

Dear Ms Homer,

Regarding the Employment of Loloahi Tapui by Baroness Scotland

I am writing to report the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal, PC, QC in regard to her
employment of the Tongan national Loloahi Tapui as her housekeeper and this morning's
admission by Baroness Scotland to the Daily Mail newspaper that Ms Tapui had overstayed
her visa and subsequently was working illegally until yesterday.

The law on preventing illegal working in the United Kingdom is quite clear and although
Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 had an amendment for new European
Union accession countries added on 1st May 2004, the law for those outside the European
Union remained the same. Indeed as a citizen of Tonga Miss Loloahi Tapui applied for a
student visa in 2003 which entitled her to work legally, but her application a year later was
turned down and she was told to leave the United Kingdom. This would mean she would
have had no legal paperwork. As you well know it is a requirement under Section 8 of the
Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 for all new employers to check and copy all necessary
paperwork.

T : 020 7837 3312 F : 070 9201 2337 E : team@sunlight-cops.org.uk

Albion Buildings, 1 Back Hill, London, EC1R 5EN
Sunlight Centre for Open Politics Limited, A not-for-profit company
Ms Tapui has been employed by Baroness Scotland for the past six months
when she was working without the proper documentation as specified by the
United Kingdom Border Agency. As you will know, even unknowingly employing an
overstayer is still an offence, punishable by a fine of up to £10,000. I urge you as Chief
Executive of the United Kingdom Border Agency to fulfill your statutory duty as required
under the Act and enforce the law upon Baroness Scotland without regard for her high
office.

We would be grateful for an acknowledgment of this letter by email or telephone.

Yours sincerely,

Christopher Galley
Centre for Open Politics
chris.galley@sunlight-cops.org.uk

T : 020 7837 3312 F : 070 9201 2337 E : team@sunlight-cops.org.uk

Albion Buildings, 1 Back Hill, London, EC1R 5EN
Sunlight Centre for Open Politics Limited, A not-for-profit company