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Probe into asylum bid 'blocking' Probe into asylum bid 'blocking'
(about 4 hours later)
A former UK official for Uganda's ruling party is being investigated over allegations he blocked asylum applications from political opponents.A former UK official for Uganda's ruling party is being investigated over allegations he blocked asylum applications from political opponents.
Civil servant John Guma-Komwiswa, of Bermondsey, London, has been suspended pending an internal inquiry. Civil servant John Guma-Komwiswa, of Bermondsey, south-east London, has been suspended pending an internal inquiry.
The Home Office said it was looking into claims he had discouraged individuals from applying for asylum.The Home Office said it was looking into claims he had discouraged individuals from applying for asylum.
Mr Guma-Komwiswa, who stepped down as UK secretary general of the National Resistance Movement, denies the claim.Mr Guma-Komwiswa, who stepped down as UK secretary general of the National Resistance Movement, denies the claim.
He was reported in the Guardian newspaper as saying: "These accusations are totally false and malicious. There is no element of truth in any of it."He was reported in the Guardian newspaper as saying: "These accusations are totally false and malicious. There is no element of truth in any of it."
DeportationsDeportations
The allegations centre on his time working at the Immigration Enforcement Office at Becket House in central London.The allegations centre on his time working at the Immigration Enforcement Office at Becket House in central London.
More than 2,800 Ugandans were refused initial refugee status in the eight years since Mr Guma-Komwiswa started working for the Home Office. Most were recommended for deportation.More than 2,800 Ugandans were refused initial refugee status in the eight years since Mr Guma-Komwiswa started working for the Home Office. Most were recommended for deportation.
However, it is not known how many of those outcomes he would have affected.However, it is not known how many of those outcomes he would have affected.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that we are currently investigating allegations made against Mr Guma-Komwiswa, including claims that he is discouraging individuals from applying for asylum."A Home Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that we are currently investigating allegations made against Mr Guma-Komwiswa, including claims that he is discouraging individuals from applying for asylum."
He added that the "highest levels of integrity" were expected from its staff.He added that the "highest levels of integrity" were expected from its staff.
"Any suspicions or allegations of staff acting corruptly or improperly are fully investigated.""Any suspicions or allegations of staff acting corruptly or improperly are fully investigated."
He said Immigration and Nationality Directorate officers work alongside the police on internal inquiries into fraud and corruption.He said Immigration and Nationality Directorate officers work alongside the police on internal inquiries into fraud and corruption.