UK Police Arrest Two in BBC Probe of Fake Gay Asylum Claims

Two people have been arrested following a BBC undercover investigation into immigration advisers who help some asylum seekers claim they are gay to remain in the country.

The raids took place in east London and were carried out by the Criminal and Financial Investigations section of the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement team.

BBC News reported last month that migrants with expiring visas receive instructions on obtaining fake evidence, such as supporting letters and photographs, to back their asylum claims.

The probe included secret filming at an event for LGBT asylum seekers. A series of migrants told an undercover reporter that most attendees were not actually gay.

A woman in her late forties was arrested on suspicion of providing an immigration service in violation of section 91 of the Immigration and Asylum Act. A man in his early twenties was arrested on suspicion of fraud, according to a Home Office source.

Immigration Minister Mike Tapp joined one of the raids. He said such advice harms the credibility of legitimate asylum seekers.

"If lawyers, or so-called lawyers, and legal advisers are out there providing this dodgy advice, we're coming after that. And as you've seen today, we'll make those arrests," Tapp said.

"Our asylum system is there for people who are genuinely fleeing persecution and war and I'm really proud of that. But people that are trying to abuse it will not be accepted."

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said a few arrests accomplish little as long as the core problem persists.

"A handful of arrests changes nothing while the underlying incentive remains intact. The Conservatives would end it at source by banning asylum claims from illegal arrivals, leaving the ECHR and removing illegal arrivals within a week."

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for immigration and asylum Will Forster called for a fair, controlled and efficient asylum system.

"Britain will proudly do its part in helping those genuinely fleeing persecution, but we will not tolerate abuse of the system."

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said the government pursues inconsistent policies that create perverse incentives for unscrupulous businesses and industries to emerge.