§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the compassionate reasons which persuaded the Home Secretary to admit Mr Mike Tyson, who had been convicted of rape in the United States, to the United Kingdom. [HL724]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThere were no compassionate grounds in relation to Mr Tyson which affected the decision of my right honourable friend the Home Secretary to admit him to the United Kingdom. In reaching his decision one of the factors which weighed most heavily with him was the lack of consistency in the effect of the relevant Immigration Rule. My right honourable friend also considered the likely effect of cancellation of the fight on those who had already bought tickets and smaller enterprises and individuals who were probably least able to bear any losses.
My right honourable friend weighed these factors against the nature and seriousness of Mr Tyson's convictions and he decided on balance that the exceptional circumstances of this case were such that Mr Tyson should be granted entry solely for the purpose of participating in a sporting event. This decision was entirely in accordance with the Immigration Act 1971 and the Immigration Rules, which provide a residual discretion to allow entry in exceptional cases.
§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any of the party accompanying Mr Mike Tyson have criminal records. [HL725]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe Immigration Service received information that a member of Mr Mike Tyson's entourage had a criminal record. This application and all other applications from Mr Tyson's entourage for leave to enter the United Kingdom were decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules and took account of all factors relevant to each individual case.