Restaurants accused of employing illegal workers

Durham Constabulary wants the licences of two restaurants revoked

Two restaurants accused of employing illegal workers will face a licensing review.

Darlington Borough Council will consider the futures of Bambudda and TAO Asian Street Food at a meeting next week.

Immigration officers raided the businesses on 3 July and made several arrests after discovering six people working there illegally.

Durham Police has suggested revoking the licences of both restaurants. Representatives for Bambudda and TAO did not wish to comment.

Bambudda, in Gladstone Street, and TAO, in Blackwellgate, have remained open since the arrests in July

Licence holder Benjamin Wu was described by police as having "shown complete disregard for UK immigration laws by employing illegal workers", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A report to the council described Mr Wu as being "obstructive and un-cooperative" while being interviewed by immigration officers and he "refused to sign documents and left abruptly during questioning".

Bambudda, in Gladstone Street, and TAO, in Blackwellgate, have remained open to customers since the arrests in July, but police said the owners may have formed new companies to transfer ownership of the restaurants.

In a statement, a police representative said: "As the sole director of the company I would expect Benjamin Wu to have had better management of his employees and to have a full understanding of their right to work in the UK, or lack of it.

"It is evident that Mr Benjamin Wu is not promoting the licensing objective of prevention of crime and disorder, as illegal workers have been identified."

The council’s licensing committee is due to make a decision on Tuesday.