Four months ago her office began a pilot scheme which meant people from within the EU could be allowed into the UK without the usual stringent checks.
The aim was to reduce long queues at Heathrow and Calais. Then Mr Clark reportedly extended the reduction in security – without ministers knowing – to people from outside the EU.
Inquiry after border checks dropped (The Guardian)
The Home Office would not discuss the circumstances of the changes to border checks, but reports suggested border guards were told this summer not to bother checking biometric chips on the passports of citizens from outside the EU to ensure they are not fraudsters. The guards were also instructed not to bother checking fingerprints and other personal details against a Home Office database of terror suspects and illegal immigrants, it is claimed.
UK Border Agency hit by fresh 'bribes for visas' scandal (The Telegraph)
Scotland Yard says a high-level employee, whose job was to vet thousands of visa applications from Africa, accepted bribes for allowing Nigerians to enter the country illegally.
