David Lammy was left "staggered" after Border Force staff revealed thousands of tourists are "breezing into Britain" every day, despite the Government restricting travel for the public.

Of the 20,000 people arriving every day, around 8,000 are tourists, with hundreds arriving on tourist visas issued by the Home Office, according to Border Force staff.

One visa was granted to a tourist from Peru who said on their application form that the reason for their trip to the UK was to “visit Big Ben”.

Immigration Services Union's Lucy Morton told David that Border Force staff have "absolutely" no powers to prevent tourists from entering the UK.

Ms Morton said her union have asked "repeatedly" how often these fines are upheld and paid "and the Home Office don't know."

David reflected that it was "staggering", to which Ms Morton agreed that the situation has left many of the staff "in distress."

No holidaymakers have been arrested for violating a “ban” on non-essential foreign travel despite a crackdown announced by Priti Patel, according to figures obtained by The Independent.

The Home Office claimed that police could arrest people who remained intent on going on holiday after being stopped at an airport, saying: Data gathered through freedom of information requests suggest that zero arrests have been made under coronavirus laws at airports in England in the two months since the home secretary said police would start enforcing the prohibition.

On 27 January, the home secretary said going on holiday was “not a valid reason” to leave home during England’s coronavirus lockdown and added: “Anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home or they will face a fine.”

Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), said “Police will not automatically stop travellers, though officers will continue to question people about the reasons for their travel in the airport terminals or the car park or the other points of entry and exit. With the new legislation in relation to travel coming into force on Monday, if officers do discover anyone who is breaching the rules, then we will issue a fine where necessary.”

It means potential holidaymakers have not been detained at Heathrow, Luton, Birmingham, Newcastle and other major international airports.

Some of the reasons for this "essential travel" were "... to see Big Ben" etc.

Bit of a joke really, when we can't travel abroad or go to the pub but tourists can still come here.

Hi

David Lammy is the most dangerous Labour Politician out there.

He makes Dianne Abbott look reasonable.

Someone needs to tell him he's black and British

Some of the reasons for this "essential travel" were "... to see Big Ben" etc.

Bit of a joke really, when we can't travel abroad or go to the pub but tourists can still come here.

Hi

His skin colour is irrelevant.

His degree of stupidity is.