Tough Singapore-style border controls will start overnight

FREEDOM of movement by European Union nationals into the UK will end overnight from Oct 31 in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Priti Patel has signalled.

The new Home Secretary has made clear that she wants the firm new approach to apply at the UK’S borders as soon as Britain has left the EU.

The tough stance risks throwing airports into chaos, if it is strictly applied when families return from their October school half-term breaks.

Under plans being considered by the Home Office, Britain could implement a tough Singapore-style immigration system to count people coming in and out of the UK. Ms Patel has sent officials to Singapore to “understand how a well-functioning immigration IT system is developed. Specifically, ensuring we can count people in and out the country”.

A source close to Ms Patel told The Daily Telegraph last night: “We are leaving the EU on Oct 31 and putting in place plans to ensure the border is ready. The public do not want an immigration system that facilitates crossborder crime and restricts the Government’s ability to remove convicted criminals just because they come from an EU country.”