Crooks caught working inside the Home Office

13 April 2012

Nearly 30 Home Office staff have been convicted of crimes including fraud, bribery and money laundering in the past five years, the Standard reveals today.

The law and order ministry faced demands to "stamp out" criminality in its offices after it named 29 staff convicted in connection with their official duties since 2006 following questions from Tory peer Lord Marlesford.

All but seven worked for the UK Border Agency, including several who let illegal migrants into Britain in exchange for cash. Sentences ranged from 80 hours' community service to jail terms in excess of nine years.

The list includes Anthony Quarco, a former immigration officer and Metropolitan Police special constable branded the "most dishonest man in Britain" after being found guilty of 14 immigration offences.

He smuggled illegal migrants into the country in exchange for nearly £150,000 and was jailed for nine years and six months in 2010.

Lord Marlesford called for an independent review of the UKBA's recruitment processes in light of the "alarming" revelations, adding: "It may be only the tip of the iceberg."

Keith Vaz, Labour chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said: "What is of particular concern is the number who were working for the UKBA which is an area of policy which ministers have said is a priority, and I hope proper steps are being taken to deal with this very serious situation."

Tory committee member Nicola Blackwood said it was "appalling" so many people had "abused their positions". She said: "The Government needs to be doing whatever it can to stamp out this kind of criminality once and for all."

A Home Office spokesman said "almost all" staff carried out their jobs with "professionalism and integrity", adding: "Any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and we take swift action when staff break the law."

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