The Home Office have today written to local lorry driver Jim Rushton informing him that he will not face a fine for having five clandestines hidden aboard his lorry after intervention from Lucy Allan MP.
Despite having gone through security checks, including a heartbeat monitor, Jim was pulled over in Calais and to his surprise five clandestines were found hiding on his load.
Facing a potential £10,000 fine, £2,000 for each clandestine, Jim sought help from Lucy Allan MP in taking his case to the Home Office. Having met Jim and his wife Kath, Lucy successfully took up Jim’s case with the Home Office to have the fine overturned.
Commenting, Lucy Allan MP said: “I’m delighted that Jim is no longer facing this fine. An experienced lorry driver of over 40 year Jim took all reasonable steps to ensure that nobody had hidden themselves on his lorry.
“I’m pleased that I’ve been able to help Jim and Kath in what has been a worrying time for them both and that the Home Office are no longer pursuing this fine. Drivers coming through Calais do an important job in shipping goods and materials between the UK and Europe.”