Sadiq Khan took £5k donation from immigration raid restaurant

The London Mayor accepted the donation from the Tayyab family in 2010 while he was serving as the Labour MP for Tooting.

They were subsequently fined £95,000 in 2017 for employing at least five people who didn't have the right to work in the UK at their restaurant Tayyab’s in the capital’s East End.

The London Mayor then attended a Labour fundraising dinner at Tayyab’s just months later, although it’s not known if he was aware of the action taken against the restaurant.

Despite that, he has been criticised for his lack of judgement from rival politicians.

Former Immigration Minister Kevin Foster MP said: "Whilst Sadiq Khan is always keen to attack others, his own judgement is often found wanting.

"Employers found to be breaking immigration rules should not be the venue for his fundraising efforts."

GB News has asked the Mayor’s office if Mayor Khan will be returning the donation he received from Tayyab’s in 2010 while a sitting Labour MP.

In August 2017 Tayyab’s in Whitechapel, London, was raided by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement agency.

A closure notice was served, and the business was shut for 48 hours following a raid conducted by immigration officials.

Following the swoop it was alleged that some of the 40 staff working at the premises were doing so illegally or lacking correct permits to work.

A statement from the Home Office in 2017 said: "Acting on intelligence, Immigration Enforcement officers visited Tayyab’s, Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel on Friday 25 August.

"Nine offenders were encountered. Six Pakistani nationals were arrested, with five of them being detained while steps are taken to remove them from the UK. The sixth is required to report regularly to Immigration Enforcement.

The statement continued: "A Civil penalty referral notice was also served on the business, which carries a fine of up to £180,000."

The donation of £5,000 made to Sadiq Khan in 2010 from Tayyab’s was the second largest donation the former Labour MP for Tooting received that year, according to The Register of Members Financial Interests for MPs.

The Tower Hamlets Labour fund-raising event at Tayyab’s restaurant which Khan then attended in 2018 raised proceeds towards the party’s local election campaign in London.

The Labour-led London authority were themselves involved in an alleged corruption controversy the year before - a controversy which resulted in Tower Hamlets Council referring itself to the National Crime Agency.

Reform UK’s Mayoral candidate, Howard Cox, told GB News: “It is more than disturbing as to why the mayor revisited the restaurant for a campaign cash raising event.”

Mayor Khan’s office has been approached for comment by GB News on three separate occasions but has yet to provide any response.

Tayyab’s Restaurant has also been approached for comment by GB News.