Blears tried to help campaign worker who said she was an illegal immigrant

London: Former Cabinet Minister Hazel Blears tried to help an illegal immigrant working on her campaign team seven weeks ago — apparently contradicting her claim that she had "absolutely no personal knowledge" of Rhoda Sulaimon's status.

The former Communities Secretary personally signed a letter to Nigerian Sulaimon on March 10, saying: "I am just writing to you as I understand from my constituency office that you are experiencing problems with your immigration matter.

"Please rest assured that I have contacted the UK Border Agency on your behalf and raised the matter with them. I will of course be in touch when I receive a response."

Shortly afterwards, the 32-year-old volunteered to work for Blears, apparently believing it might help her case. On Friday, before details of the letter were seen by The Mail on Sunday, Blears said: "I had absolutely no personal knowledge about the situation whatsoever."

However, Sulaimon, who has a three-year-old daughter from a British father, first e-mailed Blears about her case in February, prompting the March 10 letter.

It is believed Sulaimon also tentatively raised the matter while they were out canvassing together in Blears's constituency of Salford, Greater Manchester.

"They were chatting and Hazel asked her what she did. Rhoda replied that she was waiting for her ‘Home Office papers' but didn't go into any more detail and Hazel didn't press her on it," said a source.

"She told Hazel she had written to her, but she clearly couldn't remember. But Hazel said she would like to help and gave her the name of someone to speak to about it in her constituency office."

On Friday afternoon, during a meeting at Blears's campaign HQ, they had a further discussion about her case. "Rhoda went into detail about it, making clear she was illegal, and Hazel said she would like to help and that Rhoda should pass on her details", said a party source who was present.

"At no point did she say that she should leave or that she was off the campaign team."

However, Blears has said of the meeting: "I told her that if she didn't have any right to be here she should go."