An MP is demanding that the Government tightens up the immigration system and stops spouses who get divorced from bringing in someone else from another country soon afterwards.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said people were manipulating the system by divorcing as soon as they got rights to stay in the UK. She fears it leads to poverty in communities.

The Labour MP told the Commons many young Asian women in her constituency wanted the change in regulations to prevent those entering as a spouse from bringing in a further spouse following a divorce. She said: “Over my years as the Keighley MP I have been approached by a number of Asian women who feel they have been used in order to gain entry clearance to the UK and let down by the current immigration rules. It is far too common for a husband brought into this country as a spouse to simply abandon their marriage once they have obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain.” Mrs Cryer said a minimum period of five years after a divorce legally binding in the UK comes through should be introduced before a spouse who had come into this country to marry be allowed to bring in another person.