Bangladeshi-born ex-UK mayor tried to secure visas for 41 family members and friends, reports The Telegraph
Councillor Mohammad Amirul Islam, former mayor of Enfield Council in north London, is accused of sending both “official” and “doctored” letters bearing the council’s crest to the British High Commission in Dhaka, urging embassy staff to treat visa applications “favourably”.
A Bangladeshi-born former Labour mayor abused his mayoral office to try to secure immigration visas to bring 41 family members and friends from Bangladesh to United Kingdom, according to an investigation by The Telegraph.
Councillor Mohammad Amirul Islam, former mayor of Enfield Council in north London, is accused of sending both "official" and "doctored" letters bearing the council's crest to the British High Commission in Dhaka, urging embassy staff to treat visa applications "favourably".
The letters, seen by The Telegraph, reveal how he wrote to embassy staff urging them to "ensure a smooth visa application process" for "good friends" and family to attend his inauguration as mayor in May 2024.
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The Home Office is now investigating Islam, 47, over possible immigration offences.
A separate 160-page independent report commissioned by the council found he had brought the authority into disrepute by using his position to "advance personal and private interests".
Investigators said that Islam had sent some letters even before becoming mayor, with others dating back to his time as deputy mayor.
The letters included passport numbers and dates of birth and offered "full support and endorsement" for friends and relatives to attend his mayoral inauguration.
Thirteen letters were prepared through the council's mayoral office, while Mr Islam admitted to personally preparing at least six more. The origins of another 11 remain disputed, though investigators believe they were also sent by him.
Despite 41 invitations being extended, only one Bangladeshi guest from the list attended the ceremony.
Council staff reportedly felt "uncomfortable" drafting letters for visa applications, prompting Islam to "doctor" further correspondence to make them appear official. Each letter promised that he would cover all expenses for the visitors, who were expected to stay at his Enfield home.
While it is acceptable for deputy mayors to use council resources for limited visa support, investigators said Islam "went way beyond these limitations" and showed a "pattern of behaviour" that undermined the integrity of his office.
Islam, who broke down in tears during his inauguration as Enfield's first Bangladeshi-born mayor, has been asked to issue an unreserved apology but has yet to do so.
He has defended his actions by claiming previous mayors had done the same.
