‘Legal Advisers Coach Migrants To Pose As Gay To Secure UK Asylum’ — BBC Investigation

A fresh undercover investigation by BBC has uncovered allegations that some legal advisers and firms in the United Kingdom were assisting migrants in fabricating claims of being gay in order to secure asylum.

The report, published on Wednesday, revealed that migrants facing visa expirations were allegedly coached to present false narratives of persecution based on sexual orientation. According to the investigation, advisers provided detailed cover stories and guided applicants on how to produce supporting evidence.

Such evidence, the report noted, included staged photographs, questionable medical reports, and fabricated letters designed to strengthen claims of discrimination or persecution.

In some cases, advisers were said to have charged exorbitant fees for their services. One firm allegedly demanded up to £7,000 while assuring clients of a high likelihood of success.

The BBC investigation further disclosed that an undercover reporter was advised to visit gay clubs and take photographs as proof of sexual orientation. In another instance, an adviser allegedly offered to arrange a fake same-sex relationship to bolster an application.

Another adviser reportedly suggested that an applicant could later bring his wife into the UK and help her file a separate asylum claim by posing as a lesbian.

However, reacting to the revelations, the UK Home Office warned of strict consequences for those found abusing the system.

“Anyone found trying to exploit the system will face the full force of the law, including removal from the UK,” the Home Office said.

The investigation indicated that the trend primarily involved migrants whose work, study, or tourist visas had expired, rather than individuals entering through irregular migration routes. It added that such cases accounted for approximately 35 per cent of asylum claims in 2025.

Data cited in the report showed that Nigeria recorded 103 asylum claims based on sexual orientation in 2023.

An immigration lawyer referenced in the report described the practice as fraudulent, warning that it risked undermining legitimate claims from individuals genuinely fleeing persecution.

The BBC also linked some of the activities to advisers operating outside official regulatory frameworks, noting that authorities are currently reviewing the matter.

Despite the allegations, the UK government maintained that its asylum system includes safeguards to properly assess claims and prevent abuse, stressing that protection would only be granted to applicants who meet established criteria.