SIGNIFICANT SHORTS : Illegal immigrant arrested

A Hong Kong citizen, who has spent 17 years in Britain illegally, was arrested last night at the Methodist chapel in Cornwall where he had sought sanctuary and will now be deported, the Home Office said. Albert Tong, 43, took refuge at the chapel in Marazion, near Penzance, earlier this month, shortly before he was due to be expelled.

Police and immigration officers detained Mr Tong at the church and took him to a police station to be interviewed. He is likely to be flown back to Hong Kong today. A Home Office spokesman said: "Mr Tong has been here 17 years in violation of the immigration rules and now he has been detained he will be deported." The law of sanctuary had not been valid in this country for 300 years, he added.