Jobs row over illegal workers

Some 349 illegal foreign staff have been given jobs with Whitehall departments, councils and NHS Trusts over the past four years.

The details were obtained by the Mail on Sunday by putting in requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Home Office admitted employing a dozen illegal workers, 11 Nigerians and a Ghanaian. Ten of them were cleaners at Beckett House, the headquarters of the UK Border Agency, which is responsible for vetting immigrants.

The two others worked as a chef and a security guard at the Home Office itself – regarded as among the country's most likely terrorist targets.

Altogether, three Government departments, 34 local authorities and 54 NHS Trusts admitted hiring a total of 349 illegals since 2006.