The $30 million transparency test

Labour ministers are under pressure to provide full transparency about how a Sudanese man held over a suspected beheading attempt in Belfast came to be in the UK. The man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the brutal assault on Monday night which left the alleged victim with significant injuries to his face, neck and back.

The incident has sparked demands for total transparency, with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn saying he did not know the answer to the legitimate question of how the suspect arrived in the UK.

Five-year visa mystery

DUP leader and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson told the Commons today that the suspect was in the UK under a five-year visa. However, the Home Office has yet to confirm the details of the suspect's immigration status.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'The government must ensure full details about the suspect's nationality and immigration status are released.'

Common Travel Area loophole

The suspect is believed to have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, having previously been in the Irish capital Dublin.. The two countries on the island of Ireland are covered by the Common Travel Area, which allows British and Irish citizens to pass freely between both countries over an open border .

Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, who leads the Domestic Organised Immigration Crime taskforce, said gangs also use the CTA to move drugs and black market goods.

Transparency demands grow

Total transparency is required , with Labour ministers facing mounting pressure to reveal the details of the suspect's immigration status.

Chris Philp said: 'If it turns out this man is an illegal immigrant it would provide further evidence that the Government's lack of border control is endangering the public .'

The Mail reported earlier this year how the CTA is being exploited by illegal migrants and smuggling gangs as a back-entry route into the UK.