Seaham Reform councillor’s firm fined over illegal worker

A Reform UK councillor’s business was fined £40,000 for hiring an illegal worker, it has been revealed.

Andrew Harrison, who represents Seaham in County Durham, received the penalty after his Churchills Management Ltd company was ruled to have employed someone who did not have a legal right to work in the UK.

However Harrison, who was elected to Durham County Council in May, said the individual was legally allowed to work and his business was “fully compliant” with the appropriate paperwork for all employees.

He said he was appealing against the Home Office penalty notice which was issued in February at Newcastle County Court. A Reform UK spokesperson declined to comment.

On social media Harrison 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.”

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

Harrison said: “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.”

On the the legal case, he said: “It is crystal clear that this is a targeted attempt to get money from small businesses.

“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 Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the employee’s Indefinite Leave to Remain expired in October 2023, but was extended after an application was lodged.

The request was confirmed on 4 October, with Harrison’s businesses not employing them until 10 October.

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.

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.