18/01/2010

Scotland's Former Cleaner In Court

The ex-housekeeper of Attorney General Baroness Scotland has appeared in court on fraud charges.

Loloahi Tapui, 27, has admitted possessing false documents, but is contesting charges of using the information to obtain employment.

The Tongan, who made her pleas at London's Southwark Crown Court, was at the centre of a media furore last year, after it was revealed she had been working illegally for Lady Scotland.

The government's chief legal adviser later paid a £5,000 fine over the matter.

Lady Scotland carried out the proper checks on Ms Tapui but had failed to keep a copy of documents, as required by law.

Ms Tapui today pleaded guilty to having a false visa stamp in her passport, although the passport itself was genuine.

Defence solicitor Christopher Hehir said the stamp purported to be issued on 12 September 2005 and falsely claimed Ms Tapui had been granted leave to remain in the UK for three years.

She denied intending to use the false document "for establishing, ascertaining or verifying registrable facts about herself", including her "identity and residential status".

Ms Tapui also denied intending to use it to earn money by working as a housekeeper.

A trail for the fraud charges will take place on 6 April, with Lady Scotland appearing as a prosecution witness.

(PR/GK)

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