Bogus immigrant weddings halted in Leeds

As reported in the BBC, nearly 70 bogus marriages involving immigrants to the UK were stopped by immigration officers in a one month period thanks to a scheme which monitored an active downtown register office. The UK Border Agency appeared at the scene to halt two nuptials involving men living in the nation illegally.

The nuptial services were being filmed while border officers observed the register office activities at the Leeds Town Hall. Officers called their partnership with the registrar officials as "excellent". The investigative squad halted a wedding between an Indian man and a French woman, discovering that the groom’s permission to remain in the UK had been withdrawn. Another ceremony between a Lithuanian bride and a Pakistani groom was also interrupted.

Border Agency workers spent nearly one month interviewing all who were getting married at the register office in Leeds. In just four weeks, they estimate halting 70 bogus weddings from going ahead. Border inspector Adrian Watkins said that the registrars themselves tip off the UK Border Agency, adding that, ever since the team started its work last March, there had been a marked increase in cases, probably since the registrars themselves are now more alert of the issue.
Church officials are now examining couples getting married more closely. Canon Tony Bundock at Leeds Parish Church says that due to the abuses occurring a few years ago, the church must now verify that both address given by visiting both houses.
sham marriages UK, United Kingdom Border Agency, Leeds Town Hall, Adrian Watkins, Canon Tony Bundock