This of course could not come at a worse time for the government, as with the Olympics (and Diamond Jubilee) just around the corner the country will be at the centre of the world's media eye just when large numbers of tourist/visitors are expected to pass through Heathrow.
Faced with this collapse of efficient arrivals' processing at Heathrow it seems that, according to the Telegraph, the powers that be within the failing UK Border Agency (UKBA) are trying to cover up their failure.
On Saturday BAA, the owner of Heathrow, tried to issue a leaflet apologising to passengers for the “very long delays” and saying
people entering the country “deserved a warmer welcome”.
The leaflet suggested that passengers should complain to the Home Office.
Unfortunately for BAA, Marc Owen the director of UKBA operations at Heathrow, told BAA the leaflet was “inappropriate”.
He made threats to BAA:
“The leaflet is not all right with us. It is both inflammatory and likely to increase tensions in arrivals halls especially in the current atmosphere.For good measure he also told BAA to stop passengers taking pictures of the queues in the arrivals hall.
It is inappropriate in that it is not for you to display how to complain on our behalf.
Please refrain from handing out [the leaflets] or I will escalate [the matter] with ministers who are likely to take a very dim view. I know there are copies in the hall and your troops are ready with them.”
The Daily Telegraph also has in its possession emails from within UKBA detailing the extent of the chaos.
It is quite clear that the current procedures being used at Heathrow to process arrivals are failing, and most certainly will not cope with the forthcoming Olympics.
This is a national disgrace!
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
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