Some of the ‘child’ migrants we let in were balding and bearded admits former Borders chief

informed judgment. Officials admit they “knowingly transferred” a small number of adults for “humanitarian reasons” or who were under 18 at the time of the assessment but turned 18 before their transfer.

Tory MP David Davies was vilified for suggesting that some “child” migrants looked over 18 and should be required to undergo medical checks to back up their claims.

He said: “It was obvious to anyone with a grain of common sense that people who are prepared to jump into moving lorries to get to the UK would be perfectly prepared to lie about their age.

“The reluctance of the authorities to accept this because of a fear of receiving the kind of vilification I put up with last year has led to our system being flagrantly abused.

“If Mr Smith had spoken out while in office he would have faced a media storm and ministers would have been called on to sack him. One of the migrants brought over from France arriving at the Home Office immigration centre in Croydon, south London, in October last year Everyone working in this sector knows that to speak out about the abuses of our system is a quick way to end your career.”

Mr Smith, who retired in 2013, also said Britain was kicking out too few failed asylum seekers.

The Home Office said: “We have robust processes in place to ensure adults do not access children’s services.”

50 years in uk but mum ‘cannot work’

A MOTHER who has lived in Britain for 50 years has been told by the Home Office she is not allowed to work here.

Carol Babbage, 62, below, came to the UK in 1967 from New Zealand with her Kiwi mother and British stepfather.

She has raised three children in this country and served in the Army in Northern Ireland but retained her New Zealand passport.

After applying recently for a job she was told by the Home Office she is breaking the rules if she works. Now Carol, who lives in Liskeard, Cornwall, fears she will not get a state pension.

The Home Office said it was looking at her options.