US News

Home Office probes solicitor accused of offering to shift illegal-working fine

BBC News reports that a solicitor was secretly filmed explaining how to make a £45,000 illegal-working fine go away; he denies giving such advice.

Published Nov 6, 2026 · 17:13 UTC1 reports

The short version

BBC News reports that an undercover reporter filmed Mohammad Alias Yousaf explaining how he could make a £45,000 illegal-working fine go away.[BBC News]
The Home Office has launched an investigation, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority said it will examine the findings for possible misconduct.[BBC News]
Yousaf denies ever giving such advice or providing false information to the Home Office.[BBC News]
Home Office figures obtained by BBC show at least £150m in illegal-working fines is uncollected, and the Home Secretary has ordered a review.[BBC News]

A BBC undercover investigation filmed a solicitor, Mohammad Alias Yousaf, explaining how he could make a £45,000 illegal-working fine go away.[BBC News]
The Home Office has launched an investigation after the BBC report.[BBC News]
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has said it will examine the BBC's findings for possible misconduct by solicitors or law firms.[BBC News]
Yousaf has denied ever providing such advice to anyone or giving false information to the Home Office.[BBC News]
At least £150m is owed to the government in uncollected illegal-working fines, according to Home Office figures obtained by the BBC.[BBC News]
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered a review of how such fines are issued and collected.[BBC News]

Yousaf denies giving such advice, and the outcome of the Home Office and regulator inquiries is not yet known.[BBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.