A Bradford academic has protested at being forced to spy on her students in a Government immigration crackdown.

Dr Mandy Turner is among 160 academics warning they have been told to engage in “monitoring and surveillance”, to prove students have a legitimate right to study in this country.

And they warn the shift is “undermining trust between academics and their students”, as well as their own academic freedom.

Dr Turner, a lecturer in conflict resolution in the university’s school of social and international studies, has signed a protest letter.

The University of Bradford and Bradford College declined to comment.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “We have been clear with the Home Office that attendance monitoring should not impact on students’ experience at university, nor detract from the UK as a welcoming destination for international students.”