A Border Force officer suspected of being in the country illegally has been arrested.

The man was apprehended as a part of a Home Office Anti-Corruption investigation focused on the Western Jet Foil immigration centre in Dover.

Four members of Home Office staff were arrested on December 6 on suspicion of misconduct and conspiracy to steal.

It then came to light that one of the individuals had previously been held for immigration offences.

The official, thought to be in his late 30s, is reported to have lived in the UK since he was a teenager after arriving from the Balkans over 20 years ago, according to The Sun.

He was later given the right to remain and work in the UK, but it is now alleged that he lied about his country of origin in the paperwork allowing him to gain this status.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “On 6 December, the Home Office Anti-Corruption Unit arrested four members of staff on suspicion of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal.

“They have been released pending further investigation and were immediately suspended.”

They continued: “One officer arrested as part of the conspiracy had previously been arrested and bailed on immigration offences.

“We expect the highest standards of our staff. As soon as we are made aware of allegations of wrongdoing, they are rigorously investigated and we do not hesitate in taking decisive action.”

While the initial arrests were made in early December, the Home Office confirmed today that one of their staff members was suspected of immigration offences.

All four members of staff detained on December 6 have been released pending investigation and immediately suspended.

The Home Office has been under pressure as over 40,000 small boat channel crossings were made in 2022, a 40% increase on last year.

It is believed that the suspended officers all held front line roles in Border Force, which saw eight days of strike action over Christmas.