THERE were further allegations last night of corruption in the Immigration Service, with reports of an asylum racket run by a senior official.

Joseph Dzumbira is accused of asking immigrants to pay up to ?2,000 to be process their claims and advising them to say falsely that they were from Zimbabwe. He has allegedly provided fake documents while processing about 200 cases at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Croydon. This week the Home Affairs Select Committee said that there were 703 allegations of corruption against the directorate in one year.

Mr Dzumbira, 31, allegedly told The Sun: ?I know Nigerians are claiming to be Zimbabweans. No one checks.? Britain will not forcibly repatriate refugees to Zimbabwe.

Lyn Homer, the directorate?s director general, said last night: ?We are taking these allegations very seriously and they will be investigated.?