The value of publicity

See, it worked! The Times reports:

Good news for Lembit Öpik MP. The Cheeky Girls are to be allowed to stay in Britain after convincing the Home Office that they are not low-skilled workers.
The Liberal Democrat stunned colleagues by replacing Sian Lloyd, his weather girl fiancée with Gabriela Irimia, 24, of the Romanian group. The girls’ 2002 hit The Cheeky Song was voted worst pop record ever. The duo were denied leave to remain in Britain in August.

Of course, as Romanians, the girls would be entitled to reside in Britain from 1 January but they might not have secured a work permit. If one can describe what they do as work. But the Home Office considers them to be highly skilled. A small price to pay for dating Mr Opik.