Heathrow immigration desks 'must not be abandoned during England semi-final'

Despite 28 immigration officers being on duty, just 11 desks were manned which is half the typical number, Mr Holland-Kaye stated in a letter to Paul Lincoln, head of Border Force.

The boss of the UK's busiest airport has warned that immigration desks should not be abandoned by border officials again when England play in the World Cup semi-final.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye claimed a "lack of staffing" during England's second round game against Colombia on July 3 led to long queues with some arriving passengers at Terminal 4 forced to wait three hours before being processed.