Ministers ‘easing way’ for illegal immigrants

MINISTERS have been accused by Labour of encouraging illegal immigrants by ending the practice of fingerprinting those caught trying to enter the UK via the Channel Tunnel.

Immigration minister Damian Green said the records had proved of little value in practice and border officials would now have more time to search vehicles for offenders.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper attacked the change and said it sent a signal to stowaways that they should “feel free to keep trying” to enter the UK.

Border security has been under the spotlight since it emerged last year that border controls for non-EU nationals had been relaxed – leading a top official to quit.

Mr Green confirmed the change of policy in a letter to Tory MP Roger Gale after he was alerted to it by a constituent.

He said UK Border Agency believed the change “will enable its staff to focus on the high priority of searching vehicles”.