Priti Patel has pledged to end free movement overnight despite concerns that it could lead to “another Windrush”

EU migrants with a criminal record could be barred from the UK after Brexit under plans to end free movement, a government source has suggested.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, has pledged to end free movement overnight despite concerns from officials that it could lead to “another Windrush”.

Ministers are planning “tougher criminality checks” to bar serious offenders entering from the EU.

A government source played down the idea that there would be extra curbs on EU migrants arriving after the planned Brexit date of October 31 because of the lack of time left.

“I don’t think anyone is leaning very heavily into the idea,” the source said, adding: “The home secretary and prime minister think ending free movement is an integral part of