Hauliers fighting on against big fines....
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• by Melanie Hammond A Durham haulier has vowed to carry on fighting a 210,000 fine for being caught with illegal immigrants after it lost an appeal despite having what lawyers described as a concrete case.
Peter Cook Transport's lawyer Ian Rothera of Rothera Dowson is now consulting a barrister on how to proceed with the case as he claims the appeal system "provides no recourse to a court of law".
Peter Cook says he is prepared to see the case go "all the way to the top" if necessary. He claims that not only did his driver John Wilkinson carry out repeated checks on his vehicle before embarking but he got another Peter Cook driver taking the same ferry to undertake double-checks.
Rothera will also seek advice from the barrister on concerns be, the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association share that the judicial process is flawed.
Currently appeals are considered by an inspector from the immigration service, not an independent and impartial body. And the immigration service does not have to disclose any evidence it may have against them. Rothera says: "For example, if an immigrant had made a statement declaring that he had paid the driver a sum of money, the driver wouldn't be aware of this."
Peter Cook says: "It makes you wonder where this cynical use of the law is going to stop. It seems way beyond what should be laid at the door of an ordinary working man."
• A deal reached this week between Britain and France will give British immigration officers the right to patrol French Eurostar stations to prevent illegal immigrants boarding UK-bound trains.
The agreement is likely to take effect in 12 months' time.