§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the diplomat criticised in the Ombudsman's recent report relating to maladministration in connection with a visa application by a UK businessman; and for what reasons his Department did not take the action recommended by the Ombudsman. [62948]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe diplomat involved is Sir David Gore-Booth, currently British High Commissioner in New Delhi.
The FCO fully accepts the conclusions in the Ombudsman's report and has apologised to the complainant. In addition the FCO has offered him an ex gratia payment of £5,000 in compensation for the manner in which his complaints were handled.