ALL asylum seekers should be locked up by the security services until they are cleared of being a terrorist threat, according to the Conservative Parliamentary spokesman for Watford.

The UK should also consider withdrawing from relevant international agreements if it proves the only route to a fairer asylum system, said Mr Ali Miraj, who hopes to become the next MP for Watford.

Adding his voice to the asylum debate, Mr Miraj called on the Government to impose tough new measures at a time when the country is facing a heightened terrorist threat.

He said: "It is the first duty of any government to protect the public. It seems increasingly clear that we no longer know who is walking the streets of our cities and towns.

"The Government must take immediate action to introduce 24-hour-a-day monitoring of all ports of entry and should ensure no person is allowed to walk the streets of Watford until they have been properly vetted by the security services."

January 30, 2003 15:30