Watch: ‘We don’t pay’ – lawyer advises how to avoid £45,000 illegal-worker fine

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 posing as a mini-mart owner facing a fine for employing an illegal worker. The Bradford-based solicitor told his potential client he could get out of the fine – if he could find someone overseas prepared to declare themselves the owner of the mini-mart.

Alias has denied ever providing such advice, or giving false information to the Home Office.

In response to our investigation, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a review of the way illegal working fines are issued and collected.

Our UK editor, Ed Thomas, reports.