Sham marriage explosion

Bogus marriages have risen more than tenfold in a year, government figures reveal today.

Registrars reported almost 3,000 suspicious marriages last year - compared with only 205 in 2002.

And thousands of illegal immigrants who take part in fake weddings are never caught.

Illegal immigrants pay "fixers" up to ?5,000 to help them marry a European Union citizen, giving them the right to remain in the UK.

Under laws introduced in 1999, registrars are required to notify immigration officials if they have any suspicions about a couple.

The new figures were released by Immigration minister Des Browne after MPs demanded more information about the scale of the problem.

In 2002, there were 205 suspicious ceremonies reported to the Home Office by registrars from 154 different districts. Within 12 months, the number soared to 2,712 cases, from 188 different areas. The problem is particularly bad in London, where up to one in five civil ceremonies are thought to be fake.

In a written answer to a parliamentary question, Mr Browne reveals that enforcement officers raided 60 weddings in the capital last year - 110 people were arrested and 37 charged with criminal offences.

MP Humfrey Malins, the Tory home affairs spokesman who tabled the question, said: "These figures are a disgrace, and they are just the tip of the iceberg.

"They demonstrate a catastrophic failure by the Government to get a grip on the problem."

Under current legislation, a wedding ceremony can go ahead if basic legal requirements, such as 15 days' advance notice and the presence of two witnesses - have been met.

Registrars have told of cases where the bridegroom fails to recognise the bride, and must be reminded who she is during the ceremony.

There have also been reports of arguments between newlyweds over who keeps the rings.

The Home Office is now under intense pressure to give registrars power to halt suspicious ceremonies.

Mark Rimmer, chief registrar in Brent, who has led calls for a crackdown, said: "These figures are only a tiny proportion of the real number."

Among the proposals being considered are establishing designated offices to deal with weddings involving foreign nationals, and requiring foreigners to obtain written permission from the Government before marrying.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Government is determined to tackle fraudulent marriages, and prosecute those who benefit from them."