Straw in private Tyson talks

Tyson's management team lobbied Jack Straw

The home secretary had a private meeting with Mike Tyson's representatives 12 days before he was granted a visa to fight in Glasgow.

Also at the meeting were Glasgow MP Jimmy Wray and Lord Brooks, a British Boxing Board of Control steward, who sought to clarify the requirements for Tyson's visa application.

The revelation has provoked a furious response from MSPs opposed to the former heavyweight boxer and convicted rapist's entry to the UK.

Tyson has been scheduled to fight Lou Saverese at Hampden Park on 24 June, but women's groups, politicians and trades unions have promised to stage protests.

Jack Straw: Constitutional tensions

Steve Davies, a lawyer for the Tyson camp, lobbied Mr Straw for a visa for the boxer and stressed his good behaviour during a previous controversial visit to the UK in February when he defeated Julius Francis in Manchester.

Mr Wray, MP for Glasgow Baillieston, said that the home secretary had listened to the Tyson camp's case but did not indicate what his final decision would be.

He told BBC News Online: "He said there is no way that this can be a decision making meeting.

"He said he would have to look at things and weigh things up and other people would want to make representations."

Mr Wray said the group sought the meeting to ensure there was no confusion over the Tyson visa application.

"We didn't want the same fiasco that happened in Manchester, where people invested millions of pounds and the Immigtaion Office and the Home Office didn't seem to know what each other were doing."

Reserved powers

Glasgow Maryhill MP Maria Fyfe and other MPs opposed to Tyson said they were not allowed to see Mr Straw and had been "fobbed off" with Home Office Minister Barbara Roche.

The disclosure was expected to inflame a growing constitutional row between Westminster and Edinburgh.

Under devolution arrangements, the home secretary has reserved powers over immigration decisions.

Jimmy Wray: "A fair hearing"

However, there has been anger among some Labour MSPs and opposition counterparts and dismay among members of the Scottish Executive over what has been perceived as Mr Straw's handling of the decision.

He has been accused of failing to listen to the concerns of Scots and acknowledge the seriousness of crimes of violence against women.

Scottish National Party justice spokeswoman, Roseanna Cunningham, said: "This gives the game away.

"Jack Straw had no intention of consulting anyone except the people pushing for this. It seems that only money talks."

Also at the meeting was Labour backbencher Llin Golding, who was representing the cross party group on boxing.