Editorial: The Guardian

• Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, caused ministerial anger by revealing an ineffective and unkind system.
• Neal found out that 10 private jets a week landed at London City Airport without passport checks for the occupants.
• Neal was dismissed after publicly raising his concerns. His contract had been approved by the Home Office, but blocked by Downing Street.
• As ICIBI, Neal does not decide when to publish reports; this is the prerogative of the home secretary.
• Grievances towards the Immigration Office range from withheld reports to conditions of asylum offerings, as well as lack of staff training and inadequate means to combat smuggling.
• No replacement for Neal has been lined up, affecting the continuation of immigration work despite impending significant events.

Conclusion: The government has ditched an experienced watchdog for merely doing his job—showing that ministers do not want to do their duty.

---