Shock new claims in Lunar House sex for visas scandal (From Croydon Guardian)

Shock new claims in Lunar House sex for visas scandal

12:09pm Wednesday 11th January 2006 in

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A former Lunar House employee has lifted the lid on the sex-for-visas scandal with a series of shocking revelations about life inside the beleaguered Croydon immigration centre.

The man who does not want to be identified backed up claims that staff offered visas in return for sexual favours.

But the retired worker also says female asylum seekers threw themselves at staff in a bid for visas.

A Home Office investigation was launched last week when another former employee claimed staff had sex with women desperate to stay in the UK.

This week a second former employee with almost 20 years' service told how women paraded like contestants in a beauty pageant.

He claimed those deemed pretty enough often later had sex with staff in return for administrative favours.

"You would see the girls looking around for the vulnerable men and they would smile and make faces at them," our source said. "Some of them would openly offer sex on the counter.

"They came in and sat right in front of those they considered to be vulnerable. I've had plenty of propositions from punters as well."

Speaking about the claims which surfaced in a national newspaper, he added: "The things that were happening there were unbelievable but the allegations that came out last week aren't a true picture of what is happening.

"Women officers did the same thing as men. In fact the men were more cautious.

"Young girls at Lunar House looking for a little bit of fun used to proposition Australian and New Zealand men and then talked about it casually in the tea room."

Our source admits to speeding up a visa application upon the recommendation of a politician.

"I've done this so many times. When your boss comes to you and says do this for me' you can't say no," he added.

"But I have questioned doing it because at the end of the day it will come down to me. The rules are there, but for some rules are there to be broken."

In response to the allegations a spokesman for the Home Office said: "The Home Office takes any allegations of improper working practices extremely seriously. We have clearly established systems for staff to raise concerns that they may have within their team, and also to take an issue further if they feel it is necessary.

"The Public Enquiry Office is fully committed to providing a professional service and to ensuring all customers are treated with dignity and respect. There is a strong management structure in place to ensure the fair and efficient issue of leave to remain to applicants."

He added the Home Office expected anyone with a complaint to make themselves known to aid any investigation.