News

UKIP Mep in immigration worker controversy

Published

11 years ago

June 16, 2014

NEWLY ELECTED UKIP MEP, Nathan Gill, was at the centre of controversy this week over his family business’s employment of migrant workers.

In his home city of Hull, Nathan Gill was a director of a number of family businesses that provided care services to the Local Authority. Mr Gill confirmed that within those businesses were employed dozens of Eastern European and Filipino workers. Mr Gill explained why these migrant workers were employed, stating, “Because we could not find workers to do the jobs”. He continued by saying, “We had a care home of our own, but mostly our workers were employed on home care contracts we had with Hull City Council and other organisations. The workers were paid more than the minimum wage, but not massively more. The amount we could afford to pay was determined by the amount of money we received from the Council. Working in care is quite tough and we had a big turnover of staff”. Mr Gill also confirmed his company provided “bunkhouse” accommodation for workers, stating that: “The bunkhouses were temporary accommodation we offered to people coming from overseas until they could get something more permanent. We charged £50 a week inclusive of electricity to people who would be earning between Â£200 and £300 a week.” The newly elected Euro MP said the family firm, Burgill Ltd, collapsed when a bank withdrew its borrowing facility after the banking crisis. He continued to defend his position in relation to UKIP policy, saying, “I can see how this could look bad, but it’s a case of ‘damned if you do and damned if you don’t”. If we hadn’t employed people from overseas, we’d have been called racist. The fact that we did employ immigrants is leading to charges of hypocrisy. But UKIP has never said it wants to stop all immigration – it wants to limit the numbers.” UKIP leader Nigel Farage, however, stated in an interview with BBC Radio 4 that his party would not allow any migrants, who want to settle to come to the UK, while immigration policy was sorted out, should his party be elected into Government. He went on to make his party”s position clear on the issue, stating, “In terms of immigration, in terms of people coming to settle, I would suggest that for up to a five-year period we don’t have people coming to settle until we sort out the mess.” Nigel Farage has been at the centre of much controversy over whether or not his party are a “racist party” and has also been quoted as saying that mass immigration has, “left Britain an unrecognisable country that many people would not want to leave to their children and grandchildren”, and that the arrival of migrants has some British people feeling that parts of the country are now alien to them, having been “taken over” by foreigners. Earlier this year, on an LBC radio interview, when asked if a group of Romanian men moved in next to you would you be concerned, he responded by saying, “If you lived in London I think you would be”. Indeed, on BBC’s Question Time, in the run up to the European elections, he controversially told the audience how he caught a recent commuter train from London to Kent and had to wait for several stops before he heard English being spoken, referring to the incident as having made him feel “uncomfortable”.

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

6 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”