: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:47 pm
My view is the same as its always been, but based on speculation as none of us know why Crocker, Bird or any of them have been refused. (If anyone actually does know - can I see the refusal, for professional interest of course
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IF Bird was refused on grounds of character related to his alleged offences, then that issue still remains to be considered, as I think has been said by the BBC article,
every time he seeks to enter the UK. If playing in France, he will be subject to examination by an Immigration Officer every time he comes here (as Mogg etc are when they come, and as Byrne, Tony etc are when they return from France) to see if he qualifies for entry. Now to my mind, based on the assumption above, until the court case is resolved he should be refused for exactly the same reasons as the visa if he tries to enter without applying for a separate visa first (which again should be refused). The Immigration Service have access to a computerised index of refusals and dodgy characters. Bird should be on this list meaning he will be questioned in detail on every(attempted) entry. If he is not refused, then Joe Public would have every right to moan about inconsistency from our immigration service. His "character" will only become suitable to allow him entry again if he is acquitted of the charges. Obviously if convicted he falls under the same problem as Crocker appears to have done.
On the assumption that his "character" is the issue, nothing has changed between the original refusal and now.
As for Crocker, Mars has it spot on for mine, especially
The second application, I am sure, will be much more thorough, include character references, details of the community work he has done in Melbourne, and details of the impact he will have on the community programmes run by Hull FC.
That, for me, is key to the decision, plus more details of his reformed character as well as the exact nature of and time lapse since the offence. Unfortunately there is less and less discretion being allowed for now, but we can hope.
As far as "sanctions" being applied to his visa, I've never heard of that before in 18 years of immigration work and don't believe that there is power in the rules to do this. He will be either refused again or the visa issued (perhaps with a gentle warning about future conduct and re-entry to the UK for future seasons), but no actual conditions.
