A RESTAURANT owner is adamant he has done nothing wrong in an immigration row over one of his employees – and will re-hire him “when he is cleared”.

A 29-year-old Bangladeshi man was arrested earlier this month at Balti Mahal, in Astwood Road, by immigration officers for allegedly overstaying the limit on his visa.

The Home Office had initially said the man was being prepared for deportation but now have said he has been bailed with the case ongoing.

“When he was arrested, he had no right to work and he still doesn’t,” a Home Office spokeswoman said this week.

The restaurant, taken over by Hafiz Nur Mohammed two years ago, could be forced to pay up to £20,000 unless it can prove satisfactorily appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out.

This includes seeing a passport or a Home Office document confirming permission.

But Mr Mohammed denied that he knowingly employed someone without the right to work in the UK – and says he believes he has done enough to prove this to the Home Office.

The 55-year-old businessman, listed as director of Talukdar Ltd by Companies House, said he has provided the authorities with copies of the employee’s passport and insurance documents.

Prior to hiring the man in question, Mr Mohammed said he was presented with the copies of the documents he requested, including a British passport – which he has also shown to the Worcester News. Though, he has not seen the originals.

“We have done our duty, as it is a British passport, so we don’t need to see a work permit,” he said.

During the raid on August 2, Mr Mohammed said immigration officers, supported by West Mercia Police, were given the papers but later returned and arrested the employee.

“I still believe he is a genuine citizen that we have employed,” he said. “When he is cleared by the Home Office, I will take him back.”

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at: gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties.

This includes a quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work here.

People with information about suspected immigration abuse can visit gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.