The immigration service is investigating why it has employed two members of the British National Party (BNP), it has been revealed.

UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials were ordered to look into the situation after a BNP membership list was published on the web in November.

Both workers were employed in an immigration removals centre, a government spokesman said. One resigned after members' names were revealed on the internet. The other was suspended soon afterwards.

The agency spokesman said: "There is no place for racism in the immigration system.

"We ask anyone carrying out duties on our behalf to sign a declaration stating they are not a member of the BNP, the National Front or Combat 18."

UKBA is investigating how the two were able to slip through the vetting process.