Scotland Attracting Economic Migrants

Well, Jack McConnell said he wanted fresh talent. Yesterday my wife had lunch with an old friend, whose elderly parents have just moved from Surrey to Banffshire - to avoid having to sell their home in old age to pay care fees. The fees are, of course, state-funded in Scotland.




South of the Tweed, England attracts younger, more vibrant migrants.

Baybasin first came to Britain in 1997 and claimed asylum. While his application was being considered, he was sentenced to three years for possession of a firearm and ammunition — although this was reduced to one year.

He was refused asylum but won his appeal and it is believed that the Home Office was appealing against his victory when he was arrested.

Abdullah Baybasin, who is said to have been responsible for 90 per cent of the heroin in Britain, ran an extortion racket in North London, terrifying Turkish and Kurdish businessmen with extreme violence, using petrol bombs, guns and machetes.

In 2002, the gang openly clashed with supporters of the Kurdish political party, PKK, on the streets around Green Lanes, North London. One man was stabbed to death in the fighting.

Scotland Yard was so concerned about the gang that armed patrols were put on the streets.