Metropole sees illegal workers deported
Immigration services raided the Hilton London Metropole hotel last month, arresting 14 staff members working illegally at the hotel, it has been revealed.
The 14 workers - six Lithuanians, six Brazilians and two Romanians - were employed as housekeeping staff at the 1,058-bedroom West End hotel through two unnamed agencies.
All 14 have since been deported on charges that include working in breach of immigration conditions and illegal entry into the UK.
A spokesman for Hilton, which has been cleared of any blame or involvement in the situation, confirmed that a number of agency support staff at the Hilton London Metropole were investigated by the immigration department.
"The Hilton London Metropole, in accordance with Hilton policy, co-operated fully with the authorities at every step of the investigation," he added.
The Home Office is considering responses to a consultation document proposing a tightening of immigration checks. If plans in the document are made law, catering and hospitality businesses will have to perform more checks when employing staff - or face fines of up to £5,000 per employee.
