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Abstracts: January 2003
January 10, 2003
Illegal lap dancers sent home
Belfast Telegraph
Michael McHugh
Abstract to follow.
January 10, 2003
"Discovery Of Illegal Immigrants at Lap Dance Club Vindicates Concerns"
Press Statement from Rev Martin Smyth MP
Rev Martin Smyth MP has today claimed that the discovery of four illegal
sex-trade workers at the Movie Star Cafe in Botanic Avenue vindicated the
concerns of many and his own call for an inquiry into the whole affair. Four
women, understood to come from Latvia and Estonia, were discovered working in
the lap dance club before Christmas. Three of them have been returned to their
country of origin while a fourth remains on "temporary admission". A formal
investigation by Immigration Services is now continuing. The South Belfast MP
said:
"This discovery has confirmed the suspicions which many had about the Movie Star
Cafe. Only earlier this week, I tabled further questions to the Home Office on
the issue. It is unfortunate however that this whole affair has been such a tale
of drawn out confusion because otherwise this discovery could have been made
much earlier. The fact that the Immigration Service is now so seriously pursuing
this is welcome. I hope that the operations and activities of the Movie Star
Cafe and its owner will be given the utmost scrutiny from all angles so that
light can publicly be shed on everything that has been going on there."
"South Belfast has no need for a venue which exploits women, wherever they come
from. Certainly South Belfast does not want to be known as a market place for
those involved in the trade of sex workers but that is exactly the reputation
that the continued existence of such venues creates. All those who have any
sense of moral and civilised integrity whatsoever, will stay away from this club
and will encourage others to do likewise. In doing so, the community as well as
the authorities can give its verdict on the future of the Movie Star Cafe."
For more information contact Robin Ramsey on 07740 461604"
January 10, 2003
Lapdancing
Fingal Independent
Donncha MacRaghnaill
Playmates lapdancing club in the heart of Skerries has closed, after being opposed by wide sections of the town’s community.
Abstract to follow.
January 11, 2003
Strippers Exposed
Discovery of illegal workers follows inquiry into lap dance club activities
South Belfast News
Connla Young
A batch of illegal Eastern European immigrants have been uncovered working in Belfast's only lap dancing club, the South Belfast News has learned.
Abstract to follow.
January 11, 2003
More Problems Exposed at the Movie Star Cafe Lap Dancing Club
Press Statement
Dr Esmond Birnie, MLA (UUP, South Belfast)
"The revelation that a recent raid by the Immigration Service of the Movie Star Café lap dancing club discovered four foreign (probably Estonian and Latvian) women working there illegally without work permits provides further proof of the negative consequences of introducing this type of "sex industry" into South Belfast.
In no sense is this a legitimate form of entertainment industry. It is degrading and can only be kept going by importing women, sometimes in questionable ways, from distant and disadvantaged parts of the world. The experience of lap dancing clubs in other European and American cities is that such clubs tend to increase general criminality.
The fact that the Movie Star has at long last been subject to official investigation is a cause to commend the Home Office (the way the local Department of Employment and Learning handled the issue when it had responsibility prior to 1 September 2002 was much less satisfactory.)
Now that we know that there were four overseas women working illegally at the Movie Star this begs the question of how they got to Belfast. Were they smuggled across from the Republic? Was trafficking involved?"
Dr Esmond Birnie, MLA (UUP, South Belfast)
07703-184459, 028-90291149.
January 14, 2002
Estonian Baltic Dancers
United Kingdom Parliament
EXCERPT:
Estonian Baltic Dancers
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an official of the Immigration Service visited the residence in Northern Ireland of the Estonian Baltic Dancers; whether the dancers overstayed their 12 week group permit; and what attempt was made to verify their ages and the travel documents they were using. [90044]
Beverley Hughes: The residence of foreign nationals believed to be employed at the Movie Star Cafe was visited by the United Kingdom Immigration Service (UKIS) on 18 December 2002. Four female foreign nationals were encountered
(one Latvian, one Estonian, one Russian and one Colombian) who all declared they were employed at the club. The Latvian and Estonian females confirmed they were part of a group of 17 dancers who were granted a 12 week work permit on 1 July 2002. These two individuals advised that they had entered the UK (Northern Ireland) overland via the Irish Republic on a number of occasions since 1 July and had not seen an immigration officer on arrival. A provision of The Variation of Leave (Entry through Ireland) Order 1981 is that persons arriving in the United Kingdom by this route are deemed to have leave for a specific period as a visitor. They have, however, not been granted leave to work by an
immigration officer and without doing so are not allowed to take employment. The individuals and the club owner were advised of this and that the deemed leave was due to expire the following day. The Immigration Service has
confirmed that the two women departed the UK in order to avoid overstaying their leave.
The Russian and Colombian females were both visa nationals but neither held valid UK visas. The Immigration Service therefore served illegal entry papers on them and the Russian national made a voluntary departure on 20
December. The Colombian national has submitted an application to remain in the United Kingdom and has been granted temporary release pending consideration of her case. An immigration officer examined the passports of the four foreign nationals encountered at the club and noted that all four were of adult age.
14 Jan 2003 : Column 593W
January 15, 2003
Lap-dance boss hits out at city club critics
Politicians 'trying to win votes in next elections'
Belfast Telegraph
Staff Reporters
THE owner of the controversial Movie Star Cafe has hit back at criticism from politicians over eastern European dancers who worked at the club. Three of the girls were deported for overstaying their work permits after Immigration Service officials raided houses in south Belfast in a pre-Christmas crackdown. The Immigration Service believes there may be more of the girls still in the province. Club proprietor Kevin Bryson denied the claim.
Abstract to follow.
- http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
January 16, 2003
Immigration Minister Gives Smyth Confirmation of Discovery at Lap Dancing Club
Press Statement from Rev Martin Smyth MP
"In response to a question tabled by Rev Martin Smyth MP, Home Office Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Beverly Hughes, has confirmed details of what was discovered by the UK Immigration Service on 18 December when they encountered four foreign nationals working in the Movie Star Café lap dancing club in Belfast. One girl was Latvian, one Estonian, one Russian, and one Colombian. The Estonian and Latvian immigrants claimed they entered Northern Ireland from the Republic. The question and answer follow:
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an official of the Immigration Service visited the residence in Northern Ireland of the Estonian Baltic Dancers; whether the dancers overstayed their 12 week group permit; and what attempt was made to verify their ages and the travel documents they were using. [90044]
Beverley Hughes: The residence of foreign nationals believed to be employed at the Movie Star Cafe was visited by the United Kingdom Immigration Service (UKIS) on 18 December 2002. Four female foreign nationals were encountered (one Latvian, one Estonian, one Russian and one Colombian) who all declared they were employed at the club.
The Latvian and Estonian females confirmed they were part of a group of 17 dancers who were granted a 12 week work permit on 1 July 2002. These two individuals advised that they had entered the UK (Northern Ireland) overland via the Irish Republic on a number of occasions since 1 July and had not seen an immigration officer on arrival. A provision of The Variation of Leave (Entry through Ireland) Order 1981 is that persons arriving in the United Kingdom by this route are deemed to have leave for a specific period as a visitor. They have, however, not been granted leave to work by an immigration officer and without doing so are not allowed to take employment. The individuals and the club owner were advised of this and that the deemed leave was due to expire the following day. The Immigration Service has confirmed that the two women departed the UK in order to avoid overstaying their
leave.
The Russian and Colombian females were both visa nationals but neither held valid UK visas. The Immigration Service therefore served illegal entry papers on them and the Russian national made a voluntary departure on 20 December. The Colombian national has submitted an application to remain in the United Kingdom and has been granted temporary release pending consideration of her case. An immigration officer examined the passports of the four foreign nationals encountered at the club and noted that all four were of adult age.
South Belfast MP, Martin Smyth said:
"This official response from the Minister, and last week's disclosure of the Immigration discovery, has confirmed the fears and concerns many had about the Movie Star Café. It is obvious that foreign workers were being used as little as one month ago, and Mr Bryson's apparent conversion to using local workers, as indicated by his comments from earlier in the week, is more likely due to this brush with Immigration, rather than his distasteful claims of improvements in 'style and technique'."
"Kevin Bryson's comments were little more than a grubby attempt at defending the indefensible. I believe his whole language in describing lap dancing as "professional" and an "art" would be rejected by the vast majority of the public, and would actually be repulsive and offensive to most decent people. No-one has anything to fear from attacks by someone whose lack of scruples deems it acceptable to use and exploit women as instruments for boosting his own profits."
"Mr Bryson can try to comfort himself by making claims that he is subject to criticism because an election may be coming up. However, his judgment is again mistaken. It is public knowledge that I will not be standing for election in May, and I do not believe that votes are behind the criticisms anyone has made of lap dancing. Mr Bryson should learn that individuals are quite capable of pursuing and speaking out on issues through conviction, a sense of what is right and wrong, and regard for other people, rather than doing things purely for self-serving and dubious, ulterior motives."
January 17, 2003
Tables turned on lap dancing club
According to this article:
After three months consideration council planners are recommending the
application for a pole and table dancing club in Church Street to be turned down
at the next meeting of the planning committee on January the 22nd. A determined
campaign by local residents has opposed the club due to the unacceptable noise
and disturbance and that it would be out of keeping with the conservation area
in which it lies.
David Prentice from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's planning department said
they have recommended it be turned down.
Council Decision: (PDF File)
MR D LEIGH (M J W Design ,The
Old Police House, Burwash Rd, Broad Oak East Sussex TN1 1JT) TW/02/02049
43-45 Church Rd TUNBRIDGE WELLS CU Change of use from A1 (retail) to pole/table
dancing club ground floor and basement. Category - Planning D Highways D
REFUSE
(1) The proposed use would give rise to an unacceptable degree of noise and
general disturbance at night time hours, as a consequence of customers arriving
and leaving the premises, detrimental to the amenities of the occupiers of the
flats above the property and the neighbouring properties in the locality. The
proposed use would therefore be contrary to the provisions of Policy ENV15 of
the Kent Structure Plan 1996, Policy EN1 of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local
Plan 1996 and Policy EN1 of The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review Second
Deposit Copy, October 2002.
(2) The nature of the building is such that the internal noise generated by the
proposed use would be detrimental to the amenities of the occupiers of the flats
above the premises and the immediate neighbouring residential properties. The
application is contrary to the provisions of Policy ENV15 of the Kent Structure
Plan 1996, Policy EN1 of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 1996 and Policy
EN1 of The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review Second Deposit Copy,
October 2002
(3) The alterations required to facilitate and accommodate the proposed change
of use of the premises would be harmful to the character, fabric and appearance
of the Grade II Listed Building contrary to Policy ENV19 of The Kent Structure
Plan 1996, EN3 of The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 1996 and Policy EN3 of
The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review Second Deposit Copy, October 2002.
(4) The external alterations to the shop front and elevations required to
facilitate and accommodate the proposed change of use would be detrimental to
character and appearance of the conservation area contrary to Policy ENV17 of
The Kent Structure Plan 1996, EN5 of The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 1996
and Policy EN5 of The Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan Review Second Deposit
Copy, October 2002.
January 17, 2003
The Movie Star Cafe Lap Dancing Club: "United Nations" of the Sex Industry
Press Release:
Dr Esmond Birnie, MLA (UUP, South Belfast)
"On the 11 January I warned about the likelihood that workers for the Movie Star Belfast lap dancing club were being brought illegally into Northern Ireland from the Republic. Minister Beverley Hughes' answer to my colleague Martin Smyth has now confirmed that this has been the case on at least two occasions.
A previous Ministerial answer (from Carmel Hanna on the 14 October 2002) implied that the workers were restricted to the "Baltic states". Even the legality of those initial work permits was always very questionable. Now it appears that the problem has much wider dimensions (there is confirmation that lap dancers came from Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Colombia, Hungary and, possibly, Venezuela.) In short, a veritable United Nations of the sex industry but the really worrying aspect is how these women came to Northern Ireland or Ireland. Has there been trafficking and in particular is there cross-border smuggling?
These murky circumstances give all the more evidence for Belfast City Council to refuse the entertainments licence for this activity (they are currently reviewing it)".
Dr Esmond Birnie, MLA (UUP, South Belfast)
028-90520304, 028-90291149, 07703-184459.
January 17, 2003
Club row heats up as girls deported
Owner defends foreign dancers
Belfast Telegraph
Michael McHugh
POLITICIANS probing a lapdancing club in Belfast over its use of eastern European dancers today reacted angrily to the owner's defence of the practice.
Abstract to follow.
- http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
January 17, 2003
Stringfellows plans new touches
Evening Standard
James Rossiter
Stringfellows is fighting the law that says there can be no physical contact between the club's lap-dancers and its customers. While breasts, bottoms and groins would still be out of reach, the West End nightclub's owner Peter Stringfellow says touching of the less erogenous zones should be allowed.
Abstract to follow.
January 20, 2003
Bid to shut down lap dancing bar
Scotsman, UK
Jane Hamilton
FURIOUS police chiefs want a city pub to have its licence revoked after it was transformed into a lap dancing bar without permission. Licensing inspectors are incensed that the Miss B Have Inn is advertising itself as "probably the best strip bar in town" just two months after the landlord pledged it would not be used as a strip joint.
Abstract to follow.
January 24, 2003
To objectify women is to initiate abuse
Irish Times (subscription required)
Kathy Sheridan
It was a simple trade. He wanted sex with a small girl - aged between seven and 10 - and he was willing to pay £100 for it. And no, he didn't see it as an abuse;...
Abstract to follow.
January 29, 2003
Morals maze
The Guardian
Paul Humphries
Moves to plug a gap in licensing laws could spell victory for opponents of lap dancing clubs.
Abstract to follow.
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