MP Jackie Doyle-Price and Ukip MEP Tim Aker became embroiled in a Twitter row after 26 illegal immigrants were caught in Thurrock last week.

As previously reported by the Gazette, 15 immigrants were found on the back of a truck by border police and arrested on the A13 last week, and 11 men, from Ghana and Pakistan, were found to be illegally working at Bismah Furniture on the Purlfeet Industrial Estate.

The spat between the two parliamentary contenders kicked off when Mr Aker demanded that as well all 26 immigrants be immediately deported, that the 35 Afghani Sikh asylum seekers found in a container at Tilbury Port in August - where one man died - should also be sent home.

Mr Aker, Ukip’s parliamentary candidate, said: “We have been a soft touch for far too long. Enough is enough. Illegal migrants must be deported immediately.”

Ms Doyle-Price though called out Mr Aker on his comments, angry that he wanted those seeking help to be deported.

She wrote: “So Ukip’s Tim Aker wants to return the Tilbury Sikhs to Afghanistan, where they are persecuted and forced to wear yellow armbands. Nice.”

Mr Aker fought back by retweeting @exlabourite: “JackieDP appears to support illegal immigrants remaining in UK by launching online Twitter rant at Ukip’s @Tim_Aker.”

Ms Doyle-Price responded: “I have zero tolerance for illegal immigrants, but every sympathy for the Afghan Sikhs who claimed asylum. #GreatBritain not #littleengland.”

Mr Aker next wrote: “I find it incredibly worrying Thurrock’s Tory MP appears to support illegal immigrants being allowed to come and go in Thurrock as they please. Thurrock people have had enough of illegal immigrants who haven’t gone through the legal route as many hard-working migrants have done.

“If lives are in danger, the UN Convention is quite clear: People should flee to the first safe place. That isn’t Britain. It isn’t Thurrock.”

Ms Doyle-Price responded: “I am appalled Ukip is calling for the Afghan Sikhs to be deported.

“I have very little tolerance for illegal immigrants, but these have fled Kabul because the Taliban is persecuting them.

“Ukip has shown its true colours with its attitude towards these refugees.”