A UK solicitor was secretly recorded by the BBC explaining a method to evade a steep £45,000 illegal working penalty. Mohammad Alias Yousaf, known as Alias, outlined the strategy to an undercover reporter who posed as a mini-mart owner confronting the sanction for employing an unauthorized worker.
During the recorded consultation, the Bradford-based legal professional suggested that the client could escape the financial penalty by locating an individual overseas willing to falsely claim ownership of the business. In response to the investigation, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has initiated a government review regarding how illegal working fines are issued and enforced.
Alias has denied providing false information to the Home Office or ever advising clients to use such tactics. The BBC investigation was reported by UK editor Ed Thomas.
