The British government has drawn up a list of 45,000 Bulgarians and Romanians linked to organised crime or seen as security risks who might come to Britain when the two states join the EU, a newspaper reported on Sunday.
The Sunday Times said its report was based on a leaked Home Office document which revealed the government had compiled the "warnings index" from the records of Bulgarians and Romanians who had tried to enter Britain illegally in the past, or were thought to be involved in organised crime.
The document said ministers feared they may be unable to stop these people settling in Britain and claiming benefits.