ATTORNEY General Baroness Scotland's former housekeeper has been charged with immigration offences.

Otolose Lolohi Tapui is accused of having a false passport, fraud by false representation and overstaying her visa in the UK.

Lady Scotland, from Walthamstow, did not deliberately employ a housekeeper without the right to work in the UK but failed to keep a copy of documents relating to Tongan Loloahi Tapui.

She was required to do so under laws she helped put through Parliament.

Following the UK Borders Agency's probe, the Baroness was fined £5,000 for hiring a foreign national without a work permit.

She made a public apology but Prime Minister Gordon Brown let her keep her job.

Ms Tapui was charged today after answering police bail. She is due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on December 7.

Simon Clements, head of the CPS special crime division, said: "Following an investigation by the UK Border Agency, I received a file of evidence on November 9.

"I have decided there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute these offences."

Alexander Zivancevic, Ms Tapui's husband, has accepted a caution for assisting unlawful immigration.

The CPS is not considering any further charges against him.

Born in Dominica, 54-year-old Baroness Scotland grew up in Walthamstow and attended Walthamstow School for Girls, going on to become the first black female QC.