Home Office not told of illegal immigrants health problem

The Home Office launched an urgent inquiry last night into why a minister was not told about a medical condition suffered by an illegal immigrant arrested at a church where he had sought sanctuary. Immigration minister Ann Widdecombe defended the Home Office's handling of the case of Albert Tong, saying it was not known that he had any medical problems.

However, the Home Office later conceded officials had been made aware of his problem, but had not told ministers. Mr Tong is in hospital after being taken ill with a suspected heart attack after his arrest on Thursday at the Marazion Methodist church near Penzance, west Cornwall.