Press
BBC reporter told to fake domestic abuse claim to get asylum
Images
Migrants are falsely claiming to be victims of domestic abuse in order to stay in the country, exploiting rules brought in to expedite the process of securing permanent residence for genuine abuse victims A BBC investigation has found that legal advisers are encouraging some to make up abuse allegations. One of those advisers, Eli Ciswaka, encouraged a BBC reporter to make false allegations of domestic abuse - saying that he would fabricate the claim for ยฃ900, creating a story to tell the Home Office in order to secure the client's status in the UK. Ciswaka did not respond to a written request for comment, but during a phone call to tell him about our investigation he denied being willing to make up a story that the undercover reporter had been a victim of domestic abuse. Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding in the Home Office, said that the abuse of rules around domestic abuse victims was "unacceptable" and that "sham lawyers facilitating this advice abuse will be put behind bars." Read the story in full here. Lord Mandelson has been released pending further investigation, the Metropolitan Police says, hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and taken to a Norfolk police station for questioning on Thursday 19 February. The former prince spent the day at a police station in Norfolk, before being released under investigation. The former prince was seen leaving Aylsham police station on Thursday evening. Crowds and press were at a London Fashion Week event attended by the King hours after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at Sandringham Estate, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been living. Jonathan Dimbleby tells BBC Newsnight that the King will be "feeling the pain" of the scandal surrounding his brother. A jury has seen footage of a cargo ship crashing into an oil tanker, which triggered an explosion and killed a crew member. Queen Camilla has praised the courage of John and Amy Hunt, whose family were killed last year. The ice-skating duo are best known for their winning performance at the 1984 winter Olympics. The broadcaster and maths teacher is appointed an MBE for his services to public libraries. The King's Christmas message calls for unity in a divided world. Richard Davies and Faye Stevenson-Davies first won the jackpot in 2018, and have beaten the odds yet again. The new head of Britain's overseas spy agency has warned about an interlocking web of security challenges. The car - made famous by James Bond became so dilapidated local children played on it - has been restored and is now worth ยฃ1m. King Charles III laid a wreath at the monument in central London as the nation remembered its war dead. A recording of the programme was interrupted on Thursday as the news broke. The prince was interviewed in 2019 about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis. Sky Roberts told BBC Newsnight the family has mixed emotions after the prince gave up his titles.