UK immigrant-tracing office victim of own rules

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) A British government department responsible for deporting illegal immigrants found itself caught by its own rules today when five of its office cleaners were arrested for working illegally in the country.

Channel 4 News said the five Nigerians, employed by a company contracted to clean the premises of the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate, were being held after being found to be in the country without permission.

An embarrassed Home Office confirmed the case.

''We can confirm that five illegal immigrants were arrested last night at Beckett House following checks on their immigration status,'' it said in a statement.

''These individuals were the employees of a firm contracted to provide cleaning services...Of Course we will investigate further and appropriate action will be taken as necessary''.

The revelations came as the government faced accusations that immigration controls were in disarray after admitting that more than 1,000 convicted foreign criminals were released rather than deported after the end of their sentences.

The news prompted the dismissal of Home Secretary Charles Clarke but was then followed further revelations that ministers were unable to even estimate how many illegal immigrants might be at large in the country.

Reuters SK GC0127