Teather Set For Showdown With Visa Minister

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 9th Feb 2004

Sarah Teather MP and local Liberal Democrat Councillors outside the Temple

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather is set for a showdown on the 10th February with Foreign Office Visa Minister Chris Mullins. The Brent East MP has secured a meeting with the Minister over a Visa fiasco which could leave the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Willesden Lane without a priest at the end of this month. Over one thousand worshippers have signed a petition organised by the Brent East MP calling for the situation to be resolved.

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 this 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.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said:

"I'm pleased that the Minister has agreed to meet with me this situation needs to be resolved urgently. 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."