A wave of immigration checks across Britain are to be investigated by the equality watchdog for unlawful discrimination.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is to probe a series of reported spot checks conducted at transport hubs up and down the country, as well as the Government’s controversial “go home” advert vans campaign that ended last week.

It was reported that commuters on the London underground and railway stations claimed they were targeted by border officials purely on the basis of their ethnicity. Meanwhile, over 130 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested on Thursday in a crackdown on rogue employers.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who campaigns heavily on immigration issues, said the Government was acting in a “disgraceful” manner.

He said: “The worst thing for the fabric of society in any country anywhere is to have a sudden mass influx of people from elsewhere. It doesn’t matter where they are from or what colour they may be, suddenly changing the face of any community will cause a degree of upset.”