Bangladeshi-Born Ex-Mayor Sanctioned: Visa Scandal Hits Enfield Council

While corruption is not exclusive to non-White British politicians, there's a perceived difference in how the British media scrutinizes it. It appears that the media often dedicates more attention to uncovering alleged corruption among White politicians than it does for those from certain ethnic minority communities. Recognizing this reality, politicians from these communities must be even more vigilant and transparent in their conduct. Their engagement in politics should aim to bring respect and dignity to their community, rather than cause embarrassment.

A former Labour mayor has been sanctioned by his local authority after an independent investigation found he abused his civic office to improperly lobby for immigration visas for at least 30 family members and friends from Bangladesh.

Cllr Mohammad Amirul Islam, who served as Mayor of Enfield Council in North London from May 2024 to May 2025, was found to have breached the council's Member Code of Conduct on multiple counts, most notably for bringing his office into disrepute and improperly using his position to "advance personal and private interests." The scandal, which led to his suspension from the Labour Party in June 2025, has also triggered an ongoing investigation by the Home Office into alleged immigration offences.

Dozens of "Doctored" Letters Sent

A confidential, 160-page investigation report commissioned by the council concluded that Cllr Islam, who now sits as an independent councillor, was responsible for sending or asking council officers to send a total of 30 letters in support of visa applications. The letters, emblazoned with the council's crest and logo, were sent to the British High Commission in Dhaka urging them to treat the applications "favourably" so that his "good friends" and family could attend his mayoral inauguration.

Alarmingly, the investigation revealed that Cllr Islam "went way beyond" acceptable limitations for using council resources. Some letters were sent nearly a year before the inauguration ceremony, and some were even dispatched before he officially knew he would assume the role of mayor. When council staff reportedly felt "uncomfortable" drawing up the letters, the cybersecurity specialist was found to have later "doctored" six letters himself to appear official. In total, 41 Bangladeshis were invited, though only one person on the list is believed to have attended the ceremony.

Official Sanctions Imposed

The revelations follow a Home Office contact with the council in May 2024 to confirm the legitimacy of a letter regarding visas. Following a finding by the Councillor Conduct Committee on August 12, 2025, Cllr Islam was officially sanctioned.

The sanctions against the Ponders End ward councillor include:

• A direction not to use his position as a councillor to support any future visa applications or confer advantages on associates.
• An order to undergo code of conduct training.
• A requirement to issue an unreserved written apology, which is to be published online.
• A request not to wear his past mayor’s badge again.

Despite the findings, Cllr Islam, who became Enfield’s first mayor born in Bangladesh, remains adamant he did nothing wrong. He claims he reported an "agency" in Bangladesh for forging his signature and maintains that none of the visa applications he supported were successful.

Conservative group leader Cllr Georgiou Alessandro slammed the Labour administration for allowing Cllr Islam to take office despite knowing about the allegations and called for his immediate resignation, stating the scandal "brings deep shame upon the council." An Enfield Council spokesperson confirmed the authority "fully supports" the conduct committee’s conclusion and is satisfied the process was "fair and transparent." The spokesperson also noted that the council has no power to dismiss or suspend a councillor. The Home Office has confirmed its separate investigation is active and ongoing.

The British-Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani communities began their political journeys in Britain around the same time. However, in terms of political progress, the Bangladeshi community still significantly lags. Across all levels of government—from local councillors to Members of Parliament (MPs) and government ministers—the representation and active participation of individuals from the Indian and Pakistani backgrounds far outpace that of their Bangladeshi counterparts.