A solicitor has been secretly filmed by the BBC explaining how he could make a £45,000 illegal working fine go away.
Mohammad Alias Yousaf – also known as Alias – made the claim to an undercover reporter, who was posing as a mini-mart owner facing a fine for employing an illegal worker.
The Bradford-based solicitor told his potential client he could avoid paying the fine if our undercover reporter could find someone overseas prepared to declare themselves the owner of the mini-mart.
Alias has denied ever providing such advice to anyone or giving false information to the Home Office.
At least £150m is currently owed to the government in uncollected illegal working fines, according to Home Office figures obtained by the BBC.
In response to our investigation, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a review of the way illegal working fines are issued and collected.
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