Lawyer filmed advising how to dodge £45,000 illegal‑worker penalty

A BBC undercover operation captured Bradford solicitor Mohammad Alias Yousaf, who also goes by Alias, explaining how a £45,000 fine for employing an illegal worker could be avoided. The hidden camera recorded Yousaf speaking to a reporter posing as the owner of a mini‑mart that was facing the penalty. He suggested that the fine could be nullified if the business could locate someone overseas willing to declare themselves the shop’s owner.

Yousaf has since denied ever offering such advice or providing false information to the Home Office. Following the investigation, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a review of the procedures used to issue and collect illegal‑working fines.

The story was reported by Ed Thomas and published on 21 October.