UK Lawyers Coach Pakistani Migrants to Fake Gay Asylum Claims, Home Secretary Vows Crackdown

A BBC undercover investigation revealed migrants are being coached to pretend to be gay to secure UK asylum.

Some firms charge thousands of pounds for fabricated cover stories and staged photographs from LGBT clubs.

BBC

Pakistani nationals feature disproportionately in sexuality-based cases despite representing just 6% of all asylum applications.

At a Worcester LGBT event, several participants admitted that virtually none were gay.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood promised sham lawyers will face the full force of the law.

Undercover reporters posed as students facing visa expiry and approached several advisers.

Aqeel Abbasi quoted £7,000 and assured the risk of refusal was very low.

BBC

Tanisa Khan offered a full package including club photos and letters claiming sexual relationships.

Khan boasted of 17 years helping with such claims.

Nearly two thirds of gay asylum claims were granted at the first stage in 2023.

Labour MP Jo White called on the government to crack down on such law firms.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the system must be totally overhauled.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority said it was urgently following up with the firms identified.

Migrants were told to visit doctors pretending to be depressed to get medical evidence.

The Home Office said anyone found trying to exploit the system will face the full force of the law.