Illegal immigrant did work for Blears

FORMER Cabinet minister Hazel Blears has confirmed that an illegal immigrant was working as a volunteer on her election campaign.

The Labour MP for Salford said she instructed the woman to leave her campaign and reported it to the Border Agency as soon as she learnt of her immigration status.

Mrs Blears said yesterday that neither she nor any other election candidate was in a position to vet all the individuals who volunteer to help during a campaign.

A national newspaper reported that Nigerian national Rhoda Sulaimon was due for deportation shortly after the 6 May General Election, having overstayed a student visa issued five years ago. Responding Mrs Blears said: "I had absolutely no idea of this woman's immigration status until she informed me at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.

"As soon as I was made aware, I took immediate action to instruct her to leave the campaign.

She was not a campaign worker, she was a volunteer and was not paid."