A Home Office case worker has been arrested on suspicion of trying to sell UK residency to an asylum seeker living in Northern Ireland.
19 Apr
The decision maker allegedly contacted a vulnerable man and asked for £2,000 in return for approving his refugee application. It is understood sensitive Home Office records were used as part of the attempted corrupt practice. The Home Office said the member of staff has been suspended. It said it expected "the highest standards" from its staff, but it would be "inappropriate" to comment further due to the live police investigation. Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said they were "deeply concerning allegations" and the Conservative government had "lost control" of the asylum system. The victim said he was contacted by a worker employed as an asylum "decision maker" in the north of England. He received a call in early March 2024 where he told him that "95% of people like the victim have their applications refused. The decision maker then allegedly suggested a direct payment would guarantee success. "The victim was asked by the decision maker to pay the sum of £2,000 in exchange for a positive decision." "An investigation remains in its early stages and enquiries are ongoing." It is not clear how many other individuals could have been targeted in this way, if any of those individuals handed over money, or if any cases were approved on the basis of a payment.
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