[BITList] words fail me

[HUGH]

Frank,

There is a correspondence running at the moment in The Independent, dealing
with the shortcomings of the UK Border Agency, in relation to the issue and
non-issue of visas, and the consensus is that it (the Agency) is staffed by
racist, ignorant arseholes, plain and simple, and nothing to do with
placating anybody but themselves.  The runaround and expense some people
have had is unbelievable, and that was to come from NZ.

Here is one letter from a man in ChCh, NZ. I abbreviate to save typing.

Niece paid $286 to apply to UK govt for visa.  Application has now to be
made via Australia.  Niece forgot to sign a bank statement (??), so was
asked to reapply with another $286.  Applicants must supply biometric data
from approved centre - data must be less than 3 weeks old.  Biometric data
centre in Cathedral Square, ChCh, did not survive earthquake.  UK High
Commission, Wellington, NZ, insisted biometric date originally offered was
out of date, and no consideration could be given for the impact of the
earthquake.

Comment by uncle to The Independent : In 1942, her grandfather, a Lancaster
pilot,  had a much easier time getting in.

Hugh.