The Government confirmed today an investigation was under way into the status of a Moroccan man who was granted a residence permit after being refused entry as a refugee.
The case was raised in Parliament yesterday by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who said Mohammed Saidi failed in an attempt
to gain refugee status five years ago but was eventually granted residency because he was in a de facto relationship.
He again questioned Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel in Parliament today, detailing what he said was a list of facts about the man and asking why she had failed to act.
Ms Dalziel initially said she was unable to give details of the case but told the House that "generally speaking" an immigration permit could be revoked if it was obtained by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation.
Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta asked her: "Are there ongoing investigations with respect to this case and if so what are the risks of raising it publicly?"
Ms Dalziel replied: "Yes there are ongoing investigations, and the risk associated with my commenting on it is the risk of judicial review, or appeal, if anything I say is construed as pre-determination or bias if I'm called on to make a revocation decision."
Mr Peters said today the man had left his country of origin with a false passport, destroyed it on the plane, was known to have links with Islamic fundamentalists, had been accused of rape, had given a false name and lied about an international drivers licence he did not hold.
He tried to give more details, but was ordered to leave the debating chamber after a squabble with Speaker Jonathan Hunt who said his question was too long.
Yesterday Mr Peters said the man had been accused of being involved in drug trafficking and was suspected of people smuggling.
He said all that information had been known to the Immigration Service, and despite that a residence permit was granted because Mr Saidi fathered two children by two women.
Ms Dalziel said he arrived in October 1997 and applied for refugee status, which was declined in 1998.
- NZPA
