The Home Office has mistakenly informed around 100 EU nationals that they are to be deported from the UK.

The letter told the recipients that a decision had been taken to remove them from the UK under immigration laws

And it warned them that they would be  'liable to be detained' for failing to provide evidence that they are entitled to be in the UK.

The Home Office said the letter has been sent 'in error' they are 'urgently' looking into the issue.

The letter, which was signed by UK Visas and Immigration, states:  'A decision has been taken to remove you from the United Kingdom in accordance with section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.'

It says the person is entitled to appeal the decision, but adds: 'Your are therefore a person who is liable to be detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971.'

Finnish academic Dr Eva Johanna Holmberg, who is based at Queen Mary University in London, received the letter telling her she had just one month to lave the UK. 

She told the : 'It makes you feel like you are being treated like a common criminal. 'Even if I were a criminal there are certain requirements that should be met before you are deported.

'How can an EU National be deported from the UK? There is free movement of people.

'I am a historian - I believe in the strength of paperwork and I like security and thought this of paper would be a way to show that.

'It turns out it has spiralled into some Kafkaesque nightmare.

'It is just unbelievable. All for a piece of paper I don't even need. It would be funny if it were not so draining and stressful.' 

Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Select Committee said: 'This is disgraceful - and will have caused huge anxiety and distress for families who suddenly fear being split up even though they are fully entitled to be here.

'We cannot afford for the Home Office to make mistakes like this.

'Ministers will need to set out how many other errors have been made, and what is being done to remedy them. I am very concerned about the Home Office's capacity and capability to deal with changing arrangements for EU citizens.

'The Home Affairs Select Committee will be taking evidence on this when Parliament returns.