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Immigration officers investigated over claims they lied in sham marriages trial Immigration officers investigated over claims they lied in sham marriages trial
(about 1 hour later)
Three immigration officers are to be criminally investigated after a judge accused them of lying during a major sham marriages trial.Three immigration officers are to be criminally investigated after a judge accused them of lying during a major sham marriages trial.
The case against Rev Nathan Ntege collapsed in October when Judge Nic Madge said he was “satisfied” that enforcement officers had lied on oath and concealed evidence throughout the trial. The case against Rev Nathan Ntege collapsed in October when the judge Nic, Madge, said he was “satisfied” that enforcement officers had lied on oath and concealed evidence throughout the trial.
The vicar was accused of marrying almost 500 bogus couples at a church in Thornton Heath, south-east London, so foreign nationals could stay in the UK.The vicar was accused of marrying almost 500 bogus couples at a church in Thornton Heath, south-east London, so foreign nationals could stay in the UK.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Thursday it would examine how three officers handled evidence during the operation and the trial at Inner London crown court.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Thursday it would examine how three officers handled evidence during the operation and the trial at Inner London crown court.
The IPCC commissioner, Jennifer Izekor, said: “We will be conducting a thorough, independent investigation into the serious matters the collapse of this trial has raised. We are assessing a substantial amount of material as part of our initial inquiries.”The IPCC commissioner, Jennifer Izekor, said: “We will be conducting a thorough, independent investigation into the serious matters the collapse of this trial has raised. We are assessing a substantial amount of material as part of our initial inquiries.”
Prior to the collapse of the trial, the jury heard that Ntege was the “lynchpin” of a group which facilitated a “matrimonial conveyor belt” at St Jude’s with St Aidan church.Prior to the collapse of the trial, the jury heard that Ntege was the “lynchpin” of a group which facilitated a “matrimonial conveyor belt” at St Jude’s with St Aidan church.
The judge dropped the case against all seven defendants because of “bad faith and serious misconduct on the part of the prosecution”. He said at the time: “I am satisfied that officers at the heart of this prosecution have deliberately concealed important evidence and lied on oath. In my judgment, it has tainted the whole case. It has tainted the prosecution against all seven defendants.The judge dropped the case against all seven defendants because of “bad faith and serious misconduct on the part of the prosecution”. He said at the time: “I am satisfied that officers at the heart of this prosecution have deliberately concealed important evidence and lied on oath. In my judgment, it has tainted the whole case. It has tainted the prosecution against all seven defendants.
“The misconduct of the prosecution, and in particular the officer in the case and the disclosure officer, is so serious that these two officers have left me with no option other than to exercise my discretion to stay this prosecution.”“The misconduct of the prosecution, and in particular the officer in the case and the disclosure officer, is so serious that these two officers have left me with no option other than to exercise my discretion to stay this prosecution.”
He said photographs and video footage as well as diary logs had been purposely held back from the trial.He said photographs and video footage as well as diary logs had been purposely held back from the trial.
The Home Office referred the judge’s claims to the IPCC, which said it was examining more than 100 boxes of material and trial transcripts as well as considering relevant Home Office policies.The Home Office referred the judge’s claims to the IPCC, which said it was examining more than 100 boxes of material and trial transcripts as well as considering relevant Home Office policies.
The defendants denied the immigrations charges against them.The defendants denied the immigrations charges against them.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Office has cooperated fully and provided the IPCC complete access to all relevant files, but it would be inappropriate to comment further as this is an ongoing investigation.”A Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Office has cooperated fully and provided the IPCC complete access to all relevant files, but it would be inappropriate to comment further as this is an ongoing investigation.”