LOW-level EU criminals face being deported from Britain in a new immigration clampdown after Brexit.

PM Boris Johnson has ordered the Home Office to draw up the new powers immediately after the October 31 exit date.

2 Boris Johnson has asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to draw up new powers to deport low-level EU criminals immediately after Brexit Credit: PA:Press Association

The PM and Home Secretary Priti Patel want to prove to voters that freedom of movement will have ended and a central referendum campaign pledge has been delivered on.

Border officials will be able to enforce the UK’s much tougher criminality rules affecting the rights of EU citizens here — allowing them to be ejected if they have been sentenced to a year or more in prison.

The EU’s higher threshold only allows deportation on the grounds of public security, meaning the criminal has to be dangerously violent.

Mr Johnson ordered the changes after fearing Theresa May’s post-exit immigration plans didn’t go far enough, and will unveil the blueprint in full soon.

FREE MOVEMENT TO END

Announcing the work, the PM’s official spokeswoman said: “Freedom of movement as it currently stands will end on October 31.

"We will introduce immediately much tougher criminality rules for people entering the UK.”

But the potential changes to the border rules sparked a fresh panic yesterday over the rights of the 3.2 million EU citizens living in Britain now.

The Home Office had to clarify the change won’t affect any who are law abiding.

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And they will still be given a 15 month grace period until the end of next year to apply for UK settlement status.

A Home Office spokesman insisted: “EU citizens and their families still have until at least December 2020 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and one million people have already been granted status.

“After Brexit, the Government will introduce a new, fairer immigration system that prioritises skills and what people can contribute to the UK, rather than where they come from.”

2 Boris Johnson ordered the changes after fearing Theresa May’s post-Brexit immigration plans didn’t go far enough Credit: EPA

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