A paralegal who was secretly filmed telling a BBC undercover reporter how he can help businesses avoid fines of up to £60,000 for employing illegal workers, has been sacked.
At a solicitor’s office in Huddersfield, Zohaib Hussain said he could “make documents” including “business agreements” for a fee of £3,500 to help dodge immigration fines.
His employer, RKS Solicitors, confirmed he had been “permanently dismissed” a day after the investigation was broadcast and a “police report” had been made.
Mr Hussain previously said he categorically denied “all allegations, insinuations, and claims”.
Mr Hussain asked our undercover reporter to share any future Immigration Enforcement letters with Shaxawan.
In a previous statement to the BBC, Mr Hussain said: “For clarity, the individual named in your correspondence, Mr Shaxawan Jawad, is not associated with me in any capacity; professional, personal, or otherwise.”
He added: “I have never been involved in, nor have I facilitated, encouraged, or condoned, any form of illegal or improper activity.”
Shaxawan, otherwise known as Kardos Mateen, told us by email that he categorically denied “every allegation, insinuation and claim made” in our reporting, and said that he was “not employed by, associated with, or acting on behalf of RKS Solicitors in any capacity”.
In a earlier statement, RKS Solicitors said it had informed the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
“Mr Hussain is employed as a paralegal under strict supervision… The individual is not authorised or instructed to provide immigration and tax advice.”
The firm did not comment on Shaxawan Jawad. It said it did not condone unlawful conduct and was committed to the “highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and public service”.
West Yorkshire Police said it “is working in close partnership with the Home Office, which has assumed primacy for the investigation into the matters highlighted in recent BBC reporting”.
By James Kisoo
