Teather Condemns Government Ignorance

12.11.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Jan 2004

Sarah Teather MP and Liberal Democrat Councillors outside the Temple on Willesden Lane

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather has today condemned Government ignorance which could see the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Willesden Lane without a Priest next month. The Brent East MP has requested a personal meeting with Foreign Office Minister Chris Mullins MP to sort out the fiasco.

The case has caused a great deal of anxiety amongst the Temple's Trustees and the local community who had planned for a new Priest. Mr Halai was to travel from India to replace the current Priest who retires next month. However, UK Visas have refused to grant a visa for Mr Halai stating that they believe he is not qualified to do the job. Mr Halai was headhunted to work at the respected Willesden Temple and had undergone 18 months of specialist training at the parent Temple in Bhuj and has worked as a Priest for more than three years.

Sarah Teather has already written to UK Visas to protest against their decision, but the urgency and importance of the case has lead the Brent East MP to demand a personal meeting with the Minister responsible.

Brent East MP, Sarah Teather said:

"I find it unbelievable that UK Visas feel they are more qualified than the Temple Trustees to assess the skills and experience of a Priest. It appears that Whitehall bureaucrats think that they have more knowledge of the Hindu religion than the local community.

"The level of bureaucracy that we are seeing here is unacceptable, we must get a breakthrough. I have requested a personal meeting with the Minister because I cannot allow 2,000 of my constituents to be without a Priest."