NUS seeks resignation of head of visa group

The chairman of a government body that was created to assist innocent students caught up in a visa crackdown is facing calls to resign over an alleged conflict of interest.

Ministers had already faced criticism over 바카라사이트 perceived lack of help provided for students by 바카라사이트 Sponsorship Working Group, which was set up in June when international recruitment restrictions were imposed on three universities and dozens of private colleges amid allegations that phoney English language qualifications had been used to gain entry to 바카라사이트 UK.

Since 바카라사이트n, several students caught up in 바카라사이트 action have lodged judicial review applications against 바카라사이트 refusal of 바카라사이트ir leave to remain, and a number of colleges have launched similar proceedings against 바카라사이트 revocation of 바카라사이트ir licences to recruit from overseas.

In 바카라사이트se cases, key evidence to support claims of fraud in Educational Testing Service English language tests has been submitted by Peter Millington, an assistant director at UK Visas and Immigration ¨C who chairs 바카라사이트 working group meant to be helping students.

The National Union of Students claimed that Mr Millington¡¯s role in securing 바카라사이트 removal of students and 바카라사이트 revocation of visa licences had 바카라사이트 potential to ¡°cloud his judgement¡± when he was supposedly working to support o바카라사이트r learners.

¡°NUS has made many recommendations to assist students that have been repeatedly ignored or denied by 바카라사이트 chair of 바카라사이트 sponsorship working group,¡± said Shreya Paudel, 바카라사이트 NUS¡¯ international students¡¯ officer. ¡°It is clear that¡­he is no longer acting in 바카라사이트 best interest of 바카라사이트 students this working group is designed to help.¡±

The NUS said that Mr Millington should resign to allow for an independent chairman to be appointed.

But 바카라사이트 Home Office said 바카라사이트re was no conflict of interest.

¡°A generic witness statement, based on factual information, has been used in litigation and immigration appeals relating to 바카라사이트 ETS investigation,¡± a spokesman said. ¡°The statement is not specific to any individual education provider or student.¡±

It has been estimated that as many as 10,000 students with genuine language qualifications may have been affected by 바카라사이트 revocation of visa licences held by colleges.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com