Head of UK border force suspended

The British government has suspended the head of its border agency following claims that some passport checks were relaxed without the knowledge of senior officials. The Home Office confirmed that it has suspended Brodie Clark, who was alleged to have authorised border officials to abandon certain checks on non-European nationals at borders including Heathrow Airport and the port of Calais, to avoid long lines during the busy summer season.
The checks that were allegedly not carried out included the verification of fingerprints and biometric chips in passports, and checking personal details against a government database of terror suspects. Authorities said Saturday they are investigating the claims.