An immigration officer who tried to rid himself of his wife by adding her name to a list of terrorist suspects has been fired after he was found out.
He used his access to security databases to include his wife’s name on a watch list of people banned from boarding flights into Britain because their presence in the country is ‘not conducive to the public good’.
As a result, the woman was unable for three years to return to the UK from Pakistan after travelling to the county to visit family. The tampering went undetected until the immigration officer was selected for promotion and his wife’s name was found on the suspects’ list during a vetting inquiry.
The Home Office confirmed today that the officer has been sacked for gross misconduct.
A spokesman said: ‘We expect the highest levels of integrity. Allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and we always take action swiftly where we find members of staff who have abused their position.
‘On the extremely rare occasions where this occurs, the strongest action is taken.’
The officer in the latest incident to come to light was employed by a unit maintaining watch lists.
He is understood to have worked at the Agency’s headquarters at Lunar House in Croydon, South London.
His wife had visited family in Pakistan but when she tried to return to Britain she was not allowed onto the aircraft. Airline and immigration officials refused to explain to her why.
She was forced to remain in Pakistan for three years until her husband’s manipulation of the suspect list came to light.
He is understood to have applied for a promotion that would have meant a higher level of security clearance.
During the vetting process the name of his wife was discovered on the suspect list, to the surprise of security staff.
When questioned, the officer confessed to his alteration of the lists and was sacked.