A BORDER Force official has been slashed – for being an illegal migrant.
He was arrested on suspicion of immigration offenses while working for the Home Office agency responsible for securing the country’s perimeter, The Sun can reveal.
The scandal comes as Border Force personnel were set to strike once more this morning at six airports, causing further delays for travelers over the festive period.
The case has come to light at a time when ministers are desperate to tackle soaring illegal migration, with 45,000 people arriving in the UK illegally on small boats this year.
Home Office chiefs reportedly moved quickly to suspend the man as soon as concerns regarding his status emerged.
But a source said last night: “Allowing a suspected illegal migrant to infiltrate the ranks of your border agency is quite embarrassing.
“With the eyes of the whole country on Border Force right now, that’s the last thing they need.”
The man, believed to be in his late 30s, arrived in the UK around 20 years ago as a teenager from the Balkans.
The investigation focuses on allegations that he lied regarding his country of origin in documents to stay in the UK.
At the time, hundreds of young Albanian men came to Britain falsely claiming to be Kosovars to seek asylum.
The man was then granted the right to stay and work in the UK.
He passed basic employment and criminal record checks and later got a job with the Border Force.
Its number one duty is to “secure the UK border” – with the main aim of stopping illegal migration to Britain.
The scandal comes amid a border crisis threatening to engulf the government with Home Secretary Suella Braverman under pressure to find solutions.
More than 45,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK this year in small boats alone, a 60% increase on last year.
Of these, around 13,000 are Albanian.
Taxpayers are currently shelling out around £5.5million in hotels to accommodate migrants each day.
And with the system already twisted, Border Force workers went on strike for eight days over Christmas.
The Sun understands the suspect was also one of four Border Force personnel arrested in a separate investigation on December 6.
They were suspected of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal.
Three officers were held in a swoop at the Western Jet Foil Immigration Center in Dover, Kent, while the fourth was arrested at another location.
Each of them would have worked on the front line of immigration in their respective roles within the Border Force.
The arrests were made by the Interior Ministry’s anti-corruption unit, which has the same powers of arrest as the police.
Officers seized cell phones and laptops from those arrested and searched their homes.
Last night a Home Office spokesperson said: ‘On December 6, the Home Office Anti-Corruption Unit arrested four immigration staff on suspicion of misconduct in the public office and conspiracy to steal.
They were released pending further investigation and immediately suspended.
“An officer arrested in connection with the conspiracy had previously been arrested and released on bail for immigration offenses.
“We expect the highest standards from our staff.
“As soon as we become aware of allegations of wrongdoing, they are thoroughly investigated and we do not hesitate to take decisive action.”
