Labour mayor sought visas for Bangladeshi family and friends: Telegraph

A Labour politician abused his mayoral office to try to secure UK visas for 41 Bangladeshi family members and friends, a Telegraph investigation has found.

Councillor Mohammad Amirul Islam sent both "official" and "doctored" letters using his council's crest and logo to the British High Commission in Dhaka in an attempt to get visa applications treated "favourably".

The letters, seen by The Telegraph, reveal that he asked embassy staff to "ensure a smooth visa application process" for "good friends" and relatives invited to his inauguration as mayor of Enfield Council in north London.

Amirul, 47, is being investigated by the UK Home Office over alleged immigration offences. He was also found to have brought the council into disrepute by "showing a lack of integrity" and misusing his position to "assist family, friends and associates in obtaining visas" and to "advance personal interests", the investigation found.

The case illustrates how the immigration system can be abused by elected local council politicians, the report said.

A 160-page "confidential" independent investigation commissioned by the local authority concludes that Amirul sent some letters a year before he became mayor, with a few sent before he even knew he would assume the role, the Telegraph said.

The report was commissioned after the UK Home Office contacted the council in May 2024 to say embassy staff in Bangladesh had received a letter from its deputy mayor regarding visas.

The investigation report, marked "restricted" and "not for publication", catalogues how some letters included passport numbers and dates of birth, which were added to try to ensure the "prompt" handling of the visa applications.

Some were sent by the mayoral office while later ones were "doctored" to look official and were believed to have been sent by the councillor.

Although 41 Bangladeshis were invited to the mayoral inauguration in May 2024, it is believed that only one from the list actually attended, the Telegraph said.

According to the Telegraph report, Amirul told investigators that by using his mayoral office to support visa applications, he was simply following the practice of some of his predecessors.

Thirteen letters were sent using the council's official mayoral office team. Amirul agreed a further six were "prepared and sent" by him. The provenance of the remaining 11 were disputed, but investigators believe "on the balance of probabilities" they too were sent by Amirul.

The cybersecurity specialist was found to have "doctored" the latter letters after being told council staff felt "uncomfortable" drawing up letters supporting visa applications.

All the letters were either signed by him or a council employee acting on his behalf, and offered "full support and endorsement" for a "good friend" or relative from Bangladesh to visit the UK "for a special ceremony organised by my office in Enfield".

Those "letters of welcome" explained how there was "a commitment to cover all expenses" with visitors staying at his Enfield home.

They concluded: "I kindly request that you consider their visa applications favourably to facilitate their travel to the UK," the report said.

While the report concludes it was "acceptable" for deputy mayors to use "council resources" to support visa applications for people from abroad to attend inaugurations, Amirul "went way beyond these limitations, seeking to use his position and status as a councillor, deputy mayor and eventually mayor, in an attempt to advantage various friends and family members".

A standard visitor's visa allows someone to visit the UK for up to six months to see family and friends, attend a business trip or study.

Although Amirul, who completed his year as mayor in May, has been told to issue an unreserved apology, he has yet to do so, the report mentioned.

Councillor Georgiou Alessandro, the leader of the council's Conservative group, said: "The Enfield Labour council knew about these allegations long before he became mayor and he was still allowed to take office. This all brings deep shame upon the council. He should resign."

Amirul, a married father of two, told The Telegraph he remained adamant he did nothing wrong.

A Home Office spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on an active investigation, but all allegations of immigration crime are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary."

The councillor, now serving as an independent, was suspended from the Labour Party in June 2025 while an investigation was ongoing.