Councillor fined for hiring illegal worker

A Reform councillor’s business in County Durham has been fined £40,000 for hiring an illegal worker, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar. 

Andrew Harrison, who represents the Seaham division, has received the penalty after his Churchills Management Ltd company was found to have employed someone without the legal right to work in the UK. 

Cllr Harrison, who was elected to Durham County Council in May, said the individual did have the right to work in the UK.

The Reform county councillor, listed as the sole director of the local firm, is appealing the decision at Newcastle County Court, with the Home Office as defendants. The penalty notice was issued on February 17, 2025. 

Cllr Harrison said his business was “fully compliant” with the appropriate paperwork on all employees. 

Responding to news of the fine on social media, he said: “I have put the Home Office on notice and took legal action against them regarding this matter that will be heard next year and has been ongoing for a few months.”

The LDRS understands the employee’s Indefinite Leave to Remain expired in October 2023 but was extended after an extension application was lodged. The request was confirmed on October 4, with Cllr Harrison’s businesses not employing them until October 10. 

The married employee is of Thai descent and has been living in the UK for 10 years. They have a British husband and a child with dual British/ Thai citizenship. 

In a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) from the North East Law Centre, lawyers advising on behalf of the individual said the right to work can be extended under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.  

It is understood the employee had been told they were able to continue working while they appealed the expiry of their Leave to Remain. By the time of the fine, the employee was in the process of extending her status in the UK, with a fee waiver being granted in November 2024. 

Churchills was listed among several North East businesses fined earlier this year by the Home Office for employing illegal workers. 

Cllr Harrison added: “It is crystal clear that this is a targeted attempt to get money from small businesses. It has a profound effect on a micro business and all involved.”

“I support illegal workers being removed and businesses being held to account to stop this illegal activity for self-gain. Business owners that abuse the system should be jailed. Most people will not know this, but until the election this year, I was part of a specialist team actually carrying out enforcement and flying illegals out of the UK.

“Some will attack me but most that know me will have the same opinion as I have. With a country on its knees this is probably one of the lowest moves I have experienced. No common sense or any appetite to stop wasting taxpayers’ money on court proceedings.”

The Home Office says employers can face unlimited fines and up to five years in prison if they hire people who do not have the right to work in the UK, including cases where visas have expired, restrictions are breached, or proper checks on identity documents have not been carried out.

A spokesperson for Reform UK declined to comment.