A report published today by the Commons home affairs committee says that the relaxation of UK borders without authorisation showed a lack of communication between different arms of the UK Border Agency.
The committee held a number of evidence gathering sessions to try and find out exactly what had happened to allow the relaxation of checks during the summer of 2011 when it had not been authorised by the Home Office.
The report findings included:
- Lack of communication between the different arms of the UK Border Agency, and the Home Office of which it is part, has once again been responsible for a situation damaging to their reputation.
- Whilst the situation may or may not have been caused by the actions of an individual, a lack of supervision of senior staff at the UK Border Agency allowed the situation to continue.
- The risk-based trial, although not yet fully evaluated, appears to have been a success. The committee commends the effort to make a more targeted use of staff in this period of staff reductions.
- The Home Office Warnings Index Guidance 2007 may be being used inappropriately. The committee suggest that there ought to be a review of its use and clarifying guidelines should be issued to staff if necessary
The committee also says that it believes that the Home Office should make available to the committee certain documents which have been given to the internal inquiries instigated by the Home Office.
Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the committee said:
“Border checks carried out at airports and ports in the UK are the final line of defence against those who should be prevented entry.
The apparent low levels of supervision at the UK Border Agency are highly troubling. The overuse of the HOWI guidelines and the fact that no one appears to have been aware of what was happening demonstrates a lack of oversight and a failure of communication.
Parliamentary scrutiny is a vital part of UK democracy and the refusal of the Home Office to provide us with several key documents has prevented us from reaching an informed conclusion as to the sequence of events. It is also inconsistent with the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
It is time for a root and branch reform of the way in which the Home Office and the UKBA interact. Only by doing this will we ensure this Agency is finally fit for purpose.”
