A Home Office spokesman confirmed no wrongdoing was found and that officials were ‘satisfied everything was in order’
Police and Home Office officials were at the Royal Nawaab restaurant at Stockport Pyramid as part of an ‘illegal working enforcement visit’ – though no wrongdoing was found – the Manchester Evening News has learned.
Diners were turned away from the restaurant for a short time while officials carried out checks on Thursday night (March 13). They found no evidence of illegal working or wrongdoing. ‘No breaches of any kind were found’, restaurant bosses said.
One diner said he was due to eat at the venue for a friend’s birthday but was denied entry by police, with officers ‘ushering cars away’.
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A Home Office spokesman told Manchester Evening News immigration enforcement officers carried out an ‘intelligence‑led visit’ with support from Greater Manchester Police and, after investigation, were ‘satisfied everything was in order, with no wrongdoing found’. It is unclear exactly what sparked the visit.
A Pakistani man was arrested on suspicion of working in breach of visa conditions. He was later de-arrested as there was ‘insufficient evidence’, the Home Office said.
Another man arrested on suspicion of obstructing an immigration officer was ‘de-arrested when compliant’ and ‘cleared as a naturalised British citizen’, the Home Office added.
A spokesperson for the Royal Nawaab restaurant said: “Royal Nawaab welcomes any checks by the authorities and we cooperated fully with the Home Office enforcement visit.
“Every member of our staff was thoroughly checked and every single one was cleared. No breaches of any kind were found. We would also like to clarify that the individual who was briefly detained and cleared as a naturalised British citizen is not an employee of Royal Nawaab.
“Royal Nawaab has invested £15m in the renovation of the Pyramid, created nearly 200 jobs, and is committed to operating to the highest standards. We take our legal obligations seriously, and the positive outcome of their visit reflects that.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed its officers attended to assist Home Office officials.