Britain to review recruitment of foreign doctors
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 4, 2007 | 1:44 PM ET
CBC News
The British government will review its process of recruiting foreign health service staff after eight people arrested in connection with three failed car bombings were found to be linked through the medical profession, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Wednesday.
The suspects were employed or previously employed by Britain's National Health Service, and seven of the suspects are doctors or medical students.
"As a result of what has happened in the National Health Service, I have asked Lord West, the new terrorism minister, to conduct an immediate review as to what arrangements we must make in relation to recruitment," Brown told the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Brown also said the government will expand its background checks into highly skilled migrant workers entering the country. He added that sponsors of skilled workers would have to provide background checks.
The suspects include two doctors from India, and a doctor each from Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan. Two other suspects, a doctor and a medical student, are thought to be from the Mideast.
Some of the suspects worked as colleagues at hospitals in England and Scotland. Officials believe the plot came about after the suspects met in Britain.
Authorities discovered two explosives-packed cars in London on Friday. A day later, a fuel-laden jeep rammed into Scotland's Glasgow airport and burst into flames.
None of the suspects has been charged.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
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