Tony Smith CBE spent his career managing our increasinglythreatened UK border controls, from junior immigration officer toHead of the UK Border Force. He spent more than four decadesin the front line of the conflict between those who argue for openborders and free movement and those whose focus is on buildingbarriers. He played a prominent role in managing security on bothsides of the Atlantic after the 9/11 attacks in North America. Alongthe way he has worked constantly to make controls more efficient,better informed and fairer, yet less vulnerable to abuse. Afterretirement in 2013, he became a prominent media spokesmanon border control issues, from tackling organised immigrationcrime, human smuggling and terrorist travel to managing bordersthrough Brexit and beyond. This is his story.
