Officials find ‘sham’ marriage was real thing

Officials lay in wait as a Latvian bride, 30, and her Pakistani husband-to-be, 23, got ready to take their vows at Leeds Town Hall.

Before the ceremony started, the unsuspecting bride and groom were led away from their guests and official photographer who were told to stay where they were while they were quizzed by officers.

The couple, thought to be from Bradford, were interviewed separately for 15 minutes before being reunited and taking their wedding vows. The service was allowed to go ahead on Monday after checks found no offences had been committed.

However, one of the guests, a Pakistani man, was arrested on suspicion of overstaying his visa.

About 15 officers in the UK Border Agency’s Yorkshire Immigration Crime Team turned up for the ceremony at Leeds Town Hall after receiving intelligence.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said last night: “Without disrupting the ceremony, officers were able to confirm that the marriage was not a sham and the wedding was allowed to take place as planned.

“The UK Border Agency has an important responsibility to investigate and if necessary prevent suspected immigration crime.”