JAVID CAUGHT IN ‘VISAS SCANDAL’
Uncle is accused of migrants scam
NEW Home Secretary Sajid Javid has been plunged into a visa scandal – just days after pledging to sort out the Windrush mess.
His uncle Abdul Majeed is accused of running a cash for visas scam for Pakistani migrants desperate to come to Britain.
The alleged victims are said to have handed Majeed money for the right to come, only to get forgeries in return.
The uncle, who died seven years ago, was said to have been helped in the alleged fraud by Abdul Hamid, 69, who lives in Bristol.
Asked about the controversy, Hamid admitted only a “few” visas had been arranged, but said claims it was a scam were “lies”.
He alleged the accusations were an attempt to smear
Mr Javid and undermine his new role in the government. He added: “I never heard my brother cheating anyone.”
The claims come from villagers in Lasoori, Pakistan, where Mr Javid’s family still own a home.
They say the two men had been arranging visas since the 1990s, taking advantage of those wanting out.
Farmer Muktar Masih,
70, said: “I was told I would be sent to England for better work opportunities, and was duped into paying around 25,000 rupees [£160].
“I was told I could pay the rest of the visa money once I arrived in England.
“I was then given some visa documents, but everybody I showed it to said the papers were fake.”
It was made worse for Muktar who sold his tractor to pay the £160 fee.
Other allegations come from retired schoolteacher Abdul Hameed Qasir, who says he paid £1,270 in 2006 to move to Britain, only to miss out on a visa.
A spokeswoman for Mr Javid confirmed that Majeed ran a student visa business, but claimed the Home Secretary knew “absolutely nothing” about the allegations.