Annex ii5A
Information provided by Mrs Rita Gresty,
prepared by Ms Eileen Eggington QPM, 15 February 2001
Information provided by: Rita Gloria Gresty
Mapesbury Public Relations & Asian Business
Network (ABN)
Mapesbury PR was in existence in August 1998. Maria
Fernandes, wife of Keith Vaz, owned it but she had no staff. Rita
was aware that Hanif Pathan, Indian, aged about 32 years, was
a director and he seemed to be the only person actively involved
in the PR side of the business. Rita did not handle any accounts
or correspondence but believes that Maria employed a Chinese accountant.
She read in the newspapers about three weeks ago that Mr Pathan
had resigned as Director.
In about October 1998 Rita took minutes of a meeting
held under the auspics of Mapesbury PR at Coleridge House, 415
Coleridge Gardens, NW6. Maria Fernandes and Hanif Pathan ran the
meeting, which was about a forthcoming trip by MPs, including
Keith Vaz, to Belgium. The MPs wished to try to stop illegal importation
to cheap alcohol and cigarettes because it was affecting the businesses
of Asian newsagents. Rita does not know if the trip took place.
A man called David Golding used a rented office at
Coleridge House as an accommodation address. He picked up post
from there. Rita saw post addressed to him. She has not met him
but has spoken to him on the telephone. He has a distinguished
English accent. NB: Enquiries show that this address is associated
with the Asian Business Network (ABN). Both David Golding and
Hanif Pathan are contacts for ABN. Keith Vaz has declared his
interest as Honorary President of ABN.
Rita was under the impression that David Golding
was a civil servant, probably working in the Immigration Department.
Keith Vaz used to come into the office daily when Maria's office
was in their * * * home. She overheard conversations, which led
her to believe that 'David' could expedite visa applications.
About the beginning of 1999, she specifically remembers hearing
Keith Vaz talking on the telephone about, what appeared to be
a visa problem. Keith Vaz said, "phone David and he'll sort
it out quickly".
In November 1998 Hanif Pathan, under the auspices
of Mapesbury PR, organised a "Work Permits for Chefs Seminar"
at Millbank Tower. Maria Fernandes hosted the event and the guest
speaker was Barbara Roche. Rita had to compile the guest list.
Keith Vaz sat down with her in the * * * office, going through
the Egon Ronay Restaurant Guide. He picked out all the Indian
and Nepalese restaurants and Rita sent out the invitations.
Rita helped out at the Seminar. She saw that literature
advertising Fernandes Vaz immigration and visa services was prominently
displayed. Maria Fernandes gained a lot of new business from that
seminar. The Department of Education took part in the seminar.
They too brought literature but it was not prominently displayed.
Prepared by Eileen M Eggington, 15 February 2001
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