UK Border Agency embarasses Scotland

**Jimmy** · 12th August 09, 02:49 AM

The UK Border Agency has refused the Patalia Pipe Band from Lahore to enter the UK, they say that there is a problem with their visas. This courful pipe band has entered the World Pipe Band Championship for the past 4 years.
the World Pipe Band Championship is being held in Glasgow this Saturday.
No explanation has been given to why their visas are unacceptable this year.
Looks like we are getting paranoid like our friends across the pond

**BEEDEE** · 12th August 09, 03:58 PM

We took this off the forum while we looked further into it. Here is the link to the actual story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6792864.ece Obviously it's a bigger issue than just a Pipe Band.

This is for information and any political comment will be deleted and may cause the forum to be moved to the penalty box.

Brian & the Mod Squad.

**English Bloke** · 12th August 09, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

We took this off the forum while we looked further into it. Here is the link to the actual story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6792864.ece Obviously it's a bigger issue than just a Pipe Band.

This is for information and any political comment will be deleted and may cause the forum to be moved to the penalty box.

Brian & the Mod Squad.

Dead link above:

Link to Scotland's Daily Record Story on same here:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/sc...6908-21591185/

**BEEDEE** · 12th August 09, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

Dead link above:

Link to Scotland's Daily Record Story on same here:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/sc...6908-21591185/

Thanks, fixed the broken link as well.

Brian

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 12th August 09, 06:17 PM

The major cause for declining to issue a visa, by an EU country, is due to the applicant presenting an about-to-be expired passport. I believe the EU now requires that the passport must be valid for at least six months before the visa will be issued. There are a lot of other considerations as well-- failure to have an up to date health card being another. Applications can also be rejected if the wrong category of visa is requested-- asking for a tourist visa when the purpose of the trip is business being a prime example.

Visas are handled at the local embassy or consular office. Given the thousands of requests these offices receive each week-- or even each day in some countries-- it is not surprising that someone in London would not be immediately able to answer for a decision made in another country.

If there is any paranoia about, it is down to those looking for sinister motives and conspiracies by the government, rather than the visa section of the consulate in Lahore.

**Paul** · 12th August 09, 06:29 PM

I was really looking forward to seeing them too... they're a good band.
Hanzala Malik's comments are very out-of-place when it is those within his own party who can negociate for the decision to be overturned... which they're not doing atll.

**Jimmy** · 13th August 09, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.

I was really looking forward to seeing them too... they're a good band.
Hanzala Malik's comments are very out-of-place when it is those within his own party who can negociate for the decision to be overturned... which they're not doing atll.

I see that Jim Murphy's intervention has come to nothing.
I hav'nt heard them Paul but I have been told that they are always an attraction, anyway as per usual for the Worlds, its due to pour rain all day Saturday, lets hope the forecasters have got it wrong again

**Jock Scot** · 13th August 09, 02:27 AM

The various parts of the Civil Service do seem to have made a mess off things, but perhaps there is more to this story than meets the eye. In any event, I doubt that the truth will ever be known.

**gilmore** · 13th August 09, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

The various parts of the Civil Service do seem to have made a mess off things, but perhaps there is more to this story than meets the eye. In any event, I doubt that the truth will ever be known.

Yes, that is my guess as well. It sounds like one of those seemingly outrageous news story that alarms and angers readers, yet likely has a prosaic and ordinary set of facts leading up to it that aren't nearly as interesting or newsworthy as appears at first blush.

**Paul** · 13th August 09, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy

I see that Jim Murphy's intervention has come to nothing.
I hav'nt heard them Paul but I have been told that they are always an attraction, anyway as per usual for the Worlds, its due to pour rain all day Saturday, lets hope the forecasters have got it wrong again

Oh well... typical Glasgow events then. Will be good anyway hopefully.
Fancy a meetup for a wee while?
Ive actually still to buy my ticket!