Cleaners 'sacked for being British' claims MP

A UK-based cleaning company was today accused of sacking two workers because they were British.

Conservative MP Henry Smith used parliamentary privilege to claim Jani-King, based in Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey, fired the duo simply because they were from Britain.

Speaking as MPs discussed topics for future debates, Mr Smith (Crawley) told the Commons: "Recently I have been dealing with a case on behalf of two constituents who were dismissed from their job with a commercial cleaning firm called Jani-King, allegedly for being British.

"Can we have consideration for a debate on discrimination against British workers in this country?"

Mr Smith did not name the pair who were fired, or give further details.

But Leader of the House Sir George Young urged him to contact "the appropriate authorities if anything illegal has taken place".

Sir George also said he would contact Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith to see "whether anything irregular has taken place".

PA