Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his concern after a local couple was fined following the discovery of an illegal immigrant on their vehicle.

Joanne and Adrian Fenton, from Heybridge, had just returned home from a holiday in France when they discovered a young man under the cover of their bike rack. 

The couple reported the incident to the police at the time, but have since been issued a penalty by the Home Office.

During the PMQs on Wednesday, March 13, the MP for Maldon Sir John Whittingdale raised the case, saying the couple should be "thanked rather than punished."

He said: "Will the Prime Minister look at the case of my constituents, Mr And Mrs Adrian Fenton, who returned home from visiting France in their motorhome to discover an illegal immigrant concealed in the bike rack.

"They reported it immediately to the police, only to receive a fine from the Border Force of £1,500.

"Will he agree that my constituents ought to be thanked rather than punished? And does he accept that this action will send a message to deter anybody from acting responsibly in the future?"

The Prime Minister replied: "Can I thank him for raising this important case on behalf of his constituents? I've seen some of the details, and I am concerned about it, and I do think it's important, as he says, that the Home Office look into it, and therefore we will do so.

"And I will make sure that he is updated in relation to that in due course."

Mr and Mrs Fenton told the BBC they had been vigilant, saying border officials had already checked the vehicle before departing Calais.

The couple has lodged an objection to the penalty and could appeal, depending on the outcome of the objection, according to the BBC.