There was an early morning swoop at 6.30am last week after the immigration service received a tip-off about the use of illegal labour.

A spokesman for Miller Construction told local newspaper, the Journal: “The site was visited by officers from the Home Office who were making enquiries into a company operating as a subcontractor on the project.

“We fully supported the officers during their visit. Miller Construction requires all of its subcontractors to comply with UK legislation regarding eligibility to work of their employees.”

According to the local reports, all the men were working for a subcontractor on concrete work and may have been using forged passports.

The mixed-use redevelopment of the 10-acre site next to the Grade 1-listed station is being transformed with help from the tax-payer. It was heralded by the local council as a scheme that would stimulate local job creation during construction.

Three of the men arrested have been held in a detention centre and the remaining six have been released on bail.

The men were working on the £44m first phase which will see a Crowne Plaza hotel, multi-storey car park and offices built.

Developer Clouston Group said: “We are shocked and disappointed to hear of the suspected employment of illegal workers by a sub-contractor on this strategic development project.

“We refuse to speculate further but, as the developer, we and our main contractor Miller Construction are committed to using local people and developing local skills wherever possible on this important project.

“We are supporting Miller to remind the supply chain and all sub-contractors on site about the conditions they are meant to work to. Aside from national legal obligations, terms and conditions are quite explicit in all contracts with suppliers.

“All sub-contractors coming on site must sign to confirm that they have appropriate procedures in place to cover health and safety, employment and other legal requirements.”