The solicitors' watchdog today dramatically closed three firms exposed by the Mail for offering to submit false asylum claims for thousands of pounds.
The regulator also banned a legal adviser from working for solicitors' firms after he told our undercover reporter posing as an illegal migrant that he would invent stories including torture, death threats and modern slavery to help him apply for refugee status.
The swift response came after Rishi Sunak and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk had said the allegations of 'appalling' conduct must be met with the 'full force of sanctions'.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry and Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael were among politicians from all parties that had also called for the legal authorities to investigate.
In a response to a letter from the Lord Chancellor, Anna Bradley, chairman of the Solicitors Regulation Authority board, said she had been 'shocked' by the apparent behaviour of those solicitors identified by the Mail.
Lawyer Vinnasythamby Lingajothy (pictured) offered to invent a horrific back story of torture, beatings, slave labour and death threats for an asylum application. He has been banned from working for solicitors' firms
Muhammad Azfar (pictured) from Kingswright Solicitors who suggested a marriage ploy to client
Rashid Ahmad Khan (pictured), from Rashid & Rashid Solicitors, offered to invent dangers of life in India
Malik Nazar Hayat (pictured) told...
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