'Second-class' MSPs banned from immigration helpline

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:52

HOLYROOD politicians have been banned from using a special hotline to help constituents with immigration problems.

Home Office officials say MSPs can no longer dial the helpline because immigration is a Westminster responsibility and information will only be made available to MPs.

Today, Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle said he had used the hotline several times in the past without any problems, and he complained the ban meant MSPs were being treated like second-class citizens.

He has now written to Home Secretary Alan Johnson to demand an explanation.

The hotline was introduced in 2001 so MPs could phone up about questions brought to them by constituents.

Today, the Home Office said helpline staff would not deal with MSPs because they did not have any remit over immigration and asylum matters.

Mr Pringle was shocked when he rang the hotline and was refused help. He said: "It was a specific case on behalf of a constituent about bringing a relative from Pakistan over to Scotland. All I needed was some information and to find out how they go about it.

"But when I rang the hotline they would not talk to me. The woman said, 'We're only allowed to talk to MPs'.

"Any time I have had a problem with immigration I have phoned the MPs' hotline and they have always been very helpful.

"Indeed, I remember the first time I phoned, the woman asked if I was an MP and I said 'No, I'm something much more important – I'm an MSP'. We had a good laugh and she was happy to give me the information I needed. It seems someone has suddenly decided MSPs are second-class citizens."

A Home Office spokesman claimed the policy had always been to restrict the hotline to MPs. He could not explain why Mr Pringle's previous calls had been accepted.

He said individuals with concerns about immigration and asylum should always go to see their MP rather than an MSP.

Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: "Immigration is a matter reserved to the UK Government and Westminster parliament.

"Constituents can continue to raise any concerns and have their cases represented by their Westminster MP.

"This position concerns constituency correspondence via letter or MPs' inquiry line only. We will continue to engage with all levels of government, as we would any interested party, on general or policy issues."