Right-wingers prompt asylum purge

Immigrants and asylum-seekers will face tougher controls under new laws being considered by Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, to appease Tory right- wingers, writes Heather Mills.

An immigration Bill is seen as a priority for Mr Howard after claims from within his party that border controls fail to curb illegal entrants and European unity will lead to further "back-door" immigration.

Mr Howard said yesterday: "I have had the problems of immigration control under very active consideration for some time and I will bring forward proposals shortly." They are expected to include plans to penalise employers of illegal immigrants and curb oral hearings for some asylum- seekers. The Home Office is also expected to list countries it considers "safe" so any asylum-seeker from that country can be removed.