The prime minister’s spokesman told reporters: “Both the Home Office and Immigration Advice Authority are investigating the claims made by the BBC, both yesterday and today, to ensure anyone potentially abusing our immigration system is held accountable.
“Any attempt to misuse protections designed to protect genuine victims from the devastation of domestic abuse is shameful and completely unacceptable.
“The home secretary has been clear that those trying to defraud the British people to remain in the UK will have their application refused and find themselves on a one way flight out of Britain.
“Where unethical and illegal practices are identified and evidence exists, legal practitioners will be referred to the police through the relevant regulatory body.”
No timeframe was given for the investigation.
Asked whether the PM was confident claims were being scrutinised closely enough, the spokesman added: “The asylum system is built on robust safeguards, so every claim is rigorously and fairly assessed, abuse is actively uncovered, and these procedures are continually reviewed to shut down misuse.”