A politician has backed a Government clampdown on illegal immigration.

The new Immigration Bill reduces the ability to appeal against deportation and includes moves to prevent illegal immigrants opening bank accounts in the UK.

It will also allow foreign criminals to be deported before their appeals are heard.

Witham MP Priti Patel said: “Immigration was out of control under the last Labour Government and I welcome the tough new action being taken by Conservatives in Government to restore order and sanity to the immigration system.

"It is scandalous that so many foreign criminals have been able to use human rights laws to remain in this country so these changes to remove them more quickly are long-overdue.

“Net migration has fallen by a third since the General Election and these much-needed measures will clamp down on illegal immigration and send a signal out to the world that Britain is no longer a soft touch.”