LAST week I visited Kosovo as part of a parliamentary delegation.

It is barely 10 years since this country was involved in the Nato campaign to liberate Kosovo from the ethnic cleansing being perpetrated by the Serbs under the leadership of Milosevic.

Over 10,000 were killed and many displaced, to claim asylum all over Europe.

Today Kosovo is endeavouring to establish itself as an independent nation. It is very exciting to see the new organisations of Government emerging and to engage with the young, passionate politicians who are determined to ensure independence is positive for the country.

Many asylum seekers given safe haven in the UK have returned home now their country is free from conflict.

So I was staggered to discover the UK Border Agency is receiving many applications from Kosovans applying for leave to remain in the UK. More than 90 per cent are fraudulent.

It illustrates that when conflict happens, those who wish to find an illegal way of entering our country do so by claiming a different nationality and seek asylum.

They destroy their travel documents so their identity and nationality cannot be verified. So we have Afghan asylum seekers who turn out be Moroccan, Kosovan asylum seekers who are actually from Albania and elsewhere. How incredibly cynical that these criminals exploit the tragedy of war to take advantage of our goodwill.

What it also illustrates is that the UK Border Agency needs to up its game. Illegal immigrants can simply turn up and disappear, only to ask for leave to remain after a number of years have passed. Then, when deportation will be likely, it is judged as a breach of human rights, perhaps because he/she has family here, or even a cat!

The fact the law has been broken is considered of no relevance. Ministers are determined to take tough action against illegal immigrants, but are becoming frustrated by the courts.

We must ensure Britain continues to support victims of war, but must end being taken for a soft touch, so immigration takes place at a sustainable pace.