Home Office tried to cover up my critical reports, says sacked border chief

The UK’s sacked chief borders inspector has said the Home Office routinely used a fact-checking process to try to “cover up” criticisms in his inspection reports.

David Neal was dismissed as the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration last month after leaking information about apparent security failures at London City airport.

Neal was speaking about his report on security issues at London City airport, which found that “high-risk” private jets were not being checked as they arrived in the country.

The Border Force director general, Phil Douglas, said: “As I previously explained to Mr Neal, some of the information in this report is factually inaccurate.

Neal’s comments came as the number of migrants arriving in the UK so far in 2024 after crossing the Channel reached a new record high for the first three months of a calendar year.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The factual accuracy process allows us to offer further information, corrections or context which may be helpful to the chief inspector, who has the final say on what goes in to the report.