Restaurant owner denies modern slavery offences

The owner of an Indian restaurant has denied reports he engaged in "modern-day slavery".

Two men were arrested when The Raj in Loddon, Norfolk, was raided by an immigration enforcement team last October.

Two of the four workers found there at the time were deemed to be working illegally.

The restaurant's manager, Mohammed Uddin, said he was "so scared" of officers during the raid that he said things he "did not mean".

Mr Uddin has been awaiting a decision over his premises licence after the Home Office recommended it was removed. South Norfolk Council been reviewing his licence.

Mr Uddin said: “I’ve been running this restaurant for many years and I haven’t experienced anything like this [before] in my life.

“I was so scared when the officers arrived, there were so many of them," he said. "It caused me to say things I did not mean.”

The Home Office investigation found Mr Uddin compensated his workers by giving them food, rather than financial payment.

The report added this was “effectively modern-day slavery” – regardless of whether there was willingness from the employees to carry out the work.

Mr Uddin told South Norfolk Council the men were there to do some cash-in-hand cleaning jobs, and had never worked at the restaurant before.

He said the food was given as a courtesy, rather than payment, and denied any reports of slavery.

Jack Davis, representing the Home Office, said there were “a glaring number of inconsistencies” in Mr Uddin’s story.

He said: “He hasn’t satisfied me and there are concerns for the business in the future. The decision of the council depends on the kind of message they want to send.”

South Norfolk Council requested five working days to deliberate on its verdict, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Uddin added: “I have now understood that I must do the proper checks for anyone coming to do any kind of work.

“I want to thank everyone in Loddon. All of the local people have supported me.”

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830