Responding to revelations in The Sunday Times today that Scottish airports were involved in the controversial pilot scheme operated by the UK Border Agency – which may have seen tens of thousands of passengers pass through without adequate immigration checks – SNP Home Affairs spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, expressed dismay that the newspaper apparently know more detail of the failure than the Home Secretary.
The Sunday Times investigation has established that border controls were eased at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Prestwick airports between July and October.
Commenting, Mr Wishart said:-“It is incredible that a Sunday newspaper has been able to establish the facts where the Home Secretary was unable to give similar detail in parliament just last week.
“Theresa May must explain this situation and engage with the Scottish Government and police over the implications that the relaxation of these controls may now have for Scotland.
“There are immediate questions now over the staffing cuts being forced through by the UK government on frontline immigration staff, and we need to look very closely at how these cuts may have contributed to this situation.
“We also need action on the administration of the UK Border Agency, which seems to be completely beleaguered.”
