New border force lacks effective powers

12.00.00am GMT Thu 3rd Apr 2008

Commenting on the creation of a new border force today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"The new Border Agency is merely a headline-grabbing rebadging of existing functions.

"The staff of this Border Force-Lite will have 'police-like' powers but will be restricted to immigration and customs offences only.

"If the Government was serious about border security they would provide 24-hour cover at all ports of entry to the UK and immediately reintroduce exit checks."