'No reversal' for pipe band ban

The Scottish secretary got involved after the visa applications were refused

The Scottish Secretary's bid to resolve a wrangle which saw a Pakistani pipe band and business delegation barred from Scotland has ended in failure.

Jim Murphy urged the Home Office to see if anything could be done to salvage the visit, but the UK Border Agency said it had to maintain tough controls.

It has prevented 30 members of Lahore Pipe Band from competing in the World Championships in Glasgow on Saturday.

Glasgow City Council confirmed it was too late to rescue this year's visit.

Mr Murphy told the BBC: "These folk have had to fill in the forms - I don't know if they have made a mistake, or there are rules, because we have got tougher immigration rules.

"They have been before, so have they just made a mistake, are there new members of the band, what's going on?"

We welcome all visitors, including from Pakistan, who can demonstrate that they meet the UK's entry clearance requirements UK Border Agency

However, the UK Border Agency later issued a toughly-worded statement, saying: "We will make no apology for maintaining tough border controls created to prevent abuse of the immigration system."

The city council said: "Glasgow City Council understands the need for stringent requirements to secure visas to enter the UK, and that the relevant authorities need to prevent that system being abused.

"Whilst it has not been possible to resolve the issue in time in this instance, we are grateful for the constructive approach from the UK Border Agency and their agreement to work with our international office to ensure that potential future delegations to Glasgow are made aware of visa requirements in good time in the future."

Business talks in Glasgow had to be abandoned after visitors from the district government in Lahore, twinned with Glasgow, had their visa applications rejected, along with members of the pipe band.

Glasgow councillor Hanzala Malik said about 65 people in total had their applications refused, a "ludicrous" situation as many had visited Glasgow before.

'Necessary evidence'

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "If applications do not contain the necessary evidence and we are not satisfied individuals will return at the end of their visit their visas will be refused."

He said individuals were welcome to apply again and that any new evidence would be considered.

"The UK Border Agency is committed to facilitating cultural and arts exchanges and is aware of the importance of Scotland's cultural and business ties with Pakistan, as well as Glasgow's specific links with Lahore," he said.

"Every year we work closely with organisers of cultural and sporting events, including the Edinburgh Festival, to help ensure that international participants are clear about the UK's visa application process.

"We welcome all visitors, including from Pakistan, who can demonstrate that they meet the UK's entry clearance requirements. In 2007-08 we issued over 120,000 visas to Pakistanis."

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