More immigration fears

Euro-MP Paul Nuttall

Another expected deluge of immigrants - this time from Latvia - reinforces the growing need for the UK to leave the European Union, said local MEP Paul Nuttall today.

It has emerged that more than 100,000 Russian citizens could qualify for EU passports as Latvia is to grant citizenship to the children and grandchildren of all Latvians sent by Stalin and his Soviet successors into exile in Siberia.

Latvian passport holders are entitled to work and live in Britain and significant communities from the ex-Soviet state are already now established in places including Manchester.

Not only will all children and grandchildren of exiles from 1940 to 1990 be eligible, but so too will even more distant relatives of permanent residents of Latvia between 1881 and 1940 living now in Russia or any other country.

"It is very possible that many of the descendants of those exiled and other distant relatives of Latvians may choose to come to this country, with its generous welfare system, and highly likely they will come to areas where there are already many other Latvians," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

“I understand that this Baltic state is struggling economically but heavens so are we and the last thing we need is more uncontrolled immigration. But as we are members of the EU we are powerless to stop this," he added.