A former Labour mayor abused his mayoral office to try and get immigration visas to bring 41 family members and friends over from Bangladesh, it has been revealed.
Councillor Mohammad Amirul Islam, is alleged to have sent “official” as well as “doctored” letters featuring the Enfield Council logo to the British High Commission in Dhaka in the hopes of the visa documents being treated “favourably”, according to The Telegraph.
Councillor Islam was elected as Mayor of Enfield in north London in 2024 but was replaced earlier this year.
In the letters, seen by the newspaper, the former mayor asked workers at the embassy to “ensure a smooth visa application process” for “good friends” and family to come to his mayoral inauguration.
A notice published by Enfield Council in August said it had received a complaint that Councillor Islam “may have brought his office into disrepute by using the Office of the Mayor to support visa applications for his friends and family”.
It said this was “contrary to the advice of officers and for reasons not connected with the borough”.
The notice read: “The committee found that Councillor Islam’s improper use of his position and the council’s resources to advance personal and private interests, particularly given his roles as Deputy Mayor and then Mayor, was damaging to the confidence of the public, in Councillor Islam himself and councillors more generally and brought the Council and the role of councillors into disrepute.”
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The conduct committee concluded: “The committee directed Councillor Islam visa not to use his position as a councillor to support applications or similar nor to seek to confer any other advantage or disadvantage on any applications or similar nor to seek to confer any other advantage or disadvantage on any friends, family or associates.
Councillor Islam was required to undergo “further training on the Code of Conduct”, issue an apology and “not wear his Past Mayor’s Badge again”.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Councillor Islam – who is now an independent councillor – stood firm that he had done nothing wrong.
The former mayor is alleged to have asked embassy staff to ‘ensure a smooth visa application process’ for friends and family
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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.”
An Enfield Council spokesman said the local authority was “in correspondence with Mr Islam to ensure he obeys sanctions”, adding that it “fully supports” the conclusions of the conduct committee that he had “brought his office into disrepute”.
The spokesman continued: “We expect the highest level of standards and conduct from councillors.
“We are satisfied that the committee review has addressed the concerns raised about Mr Islam’s conduct following the thorough and comprehensive investigation undertaken.”
Upon being elected as Mayor of Enfield last year, Councillor Islam said: “It is an honour and privilege to have been elected as Mayor of Enfield for the forthcoming year.
“Our borough is diverse and welcoming, and I am looking forward to promoting what makes Enfield great.”