CONSIDER how many countries the Czech and Slovak gipsies flooding into Britain to claim political asylum have first travelled through, ignoring the sanctuary they offer. That fact is enough to expose them as benefit-seeking economic migrants.

For just as a Czech TV programme earlier this year about gipsies settling in Canada prompted a flood of "refugees" there, so another about the "good life" in Britain has triggered a sudden influx here.

Britain cannot afford to be a soft touch. It should introduce strict visa requirements forthwith to stem this flood.

And, meantime, as it is taking an incredible two years to process the asylum claims of those already here, the government should assist the local authorities in Kent who are dealing the huge expense and logistics of proving emergency housing for this tide of bogus refugees.

Previous news story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.