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  • PRESS RELEASE : Delivery driver, Amraiz Mahmood, who spent Covid funds on drugs and gambling also withdrew cash for home renovations just before he went bankrupt [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Delivery driver, Amraiz Mahmood, who spent Covid funds on drugs and gambling also withdrew cash for home renovations just before he went bankrupt [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 24 February 2025.

    Bounce Back Loan fraudster handed suspended sentence and curfew

    • Amraiz Mahmood secured more than £20,000 in Covid support funds by falsely declaring he had a turnover of £81,000 as a self-employed delivery driver and courier
    • Mahmood spent the money on drugs and gambling and also used a separate non-Covid related loan for almost £40,000 worth of renovations to his home just before he filed for his own bankruptcy
    • Insolvency Service investigations have resulted in Mahmood being given a suspended prison sentence and 12-month curfew

    A delivery driver who spent Covid support funds he was not entitled to on drugs and gambling has been sentenced.

    Amraiz Mahmood fraudulently secured a £20,250 Bounce Back Loan from his bank in 2020 by overstating his 2019 turnover by more than £65,000.

    The 41-year-old then claimed to have assets of only £100 despite withdrawing almost £40,000 in cash for home improvements in the weeks before he filed for his own bankruptcy.

    Mahmood, of Booker Lane, High Wycombe, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 21 February.

    He is also now subject to a 12-month daily curfew between 9pm and 7.45am which will be monitored with an electronic tag.

    Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Amraiz Mahmood hugely inflated his turnover to secure taxpayers’ money he did not deserve. He then clearly failed to use the loan as it was intended.

    Bounce Back Loans were designed to support small businesses through the pandemic. They were not intended to be used for personal gain and the Insolvency Service will not hesitate to take action when we identify such blatant abuse of the scheme.

    Mahmood also concealed tens of thousands of pounds in assets from the Official Receiver when he was declared bankrupt.

    Mahmood fraudulently applied for his Bounce Back Loan in May 2020, claiming his turnover as a self-employed courier and delivery driver was £81,000.

    His self-assessment return for 2018-19 however showed an income of only £15,018.

    Mahmood said that he spent the majority of the money he claimed on recreational drugs and gambling.

    In May 2021, one year on from fraudulently securing the Bounce Back Loan, Mahmood applied for bankruptcy, stating he had assets of just £100 and liabilities of more than £200,000.

    However, just one month before his bankruptcy, Mahmood had secured a non-Covid related loan from his bank worth £25,000 having also withdrawn £2,000 from his account in the days and weeks before.

    He then withdrew a further £37,950 in cash across several transactions before being declared bankrupt.

    Mahmood said he withdrew the money as he needed to make repairs to his home and he knew the assets would be frozen once the bankruptcy order was made.

    Invoices for the house renovations were dated after Mahmood’s bankruptcy however, meaning he was in possession of the funds when he told the Official Receiver he only had £100 in assets.

    Mahmood signed an eight-year Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking in March 2022, restricting him from being able to borrow more than £500 without disclosing his bankrupt status.

    Efforts are now being made to recover the funds from Mahmood.

    Further information

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK statement for the annual High-Level Segment [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK statement for the annual High-Level Segment [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 February 2025.

    UK statement at the annual High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council. Delivered by Lord Collins, FCDO Minister for Africa, UN, Commonwealth & Human Rights.

    Mr Vice President,

    I stand here not just as a life-long trade unionist but also as a Minister of a government committed to human rights and the rule of law.

    We have gathered today against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile and uncertain world. Conflicts and geopolitical tensions are robbing people across the world of their most basic rights.

    That’s why the United Kingdom backs Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. That’s why the ceasefire in Gaza must be fully implemented. We want to see an end to the conflict, with every hostage released and vital aid reaching Gaza, leading to a credible process towards a two-state solution.

    That’s why we welcome the Syrian interim authorities’ efforts to build a more inclusive future for all Syrians. It’s why we welcome Bangladesh engaging with the High Commissioner as it addresses past crimes and future aspirations.

    It’s why we are heartbroken by the suffering in Sudan and commend the DRC for bringing the appalling situation in the East of their country to this Council just two weeks ago.

    That’s why we are urging China to implement the recommendations of the United Nations High Commissioner’s Xinjiang assessment and respect the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.

    Against this worsening global climate, the United Kingdom is determined to champion equal and inalienable rights for all. So I’m proud that the United Kingdom is standing for election to the Council for the 2026 to 2028 term.

    Throughout its many terms on the Council, the United Kingdom has always put respect and partnership at the heart of our approach. And we promise to collaborate in the same spirit once again. If elected, we pledge to defend civic space and fundamental freedoms, supporting civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

    We pledge to champion equal rights for all, by standing up for the rights of women and girls and LGBT+ people whose hard-won rights and freedoms are being so cruelly undermined, and by promoting women’s economic empowerment. And we will do all we can to uphold the rule of law. Because human rights and the rule of law are the basic building blocks of sustainable economic growth, stable societies, and humane migration policies.

    We will prioritise human rights and governance principles, including the use of new technologies and responding to modern slavery.

    But the United Kingdom is under no illusion that we can do all this alone. We cannot. That’s why we need your support. And if we have the honour of serving on the Council, we will prioritise practical action to achieve our shared human rights goals and change people’s lives for the better.

    Ultimately, it is only by building genuine, respectful partnerships that we can work together to defend the freedoms we all hold so dear.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 28 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 28 January 1925

    28 JANUARY 1925

    The German reply to the last Allied Note concerning disarmament has been presented to the Allied representatives in Berlin. It states that the German Government cannot conceive how it can be accused of disregard of Articles 428 and 429 of the Versailles Treaty, and it maintains that the conditions under which evacuation of the Northern Rhine zone should have taken place on January 10 have, in fact, been carried out. “The fact of the disarmament of Germany is too evident,” the Note adds.

    A note to the Chinese Foreign Office from the representatives of the Powers dwells on the Government’s responsibility for the protection of foreign lives and property during the renewed conflict around Shanghai.

    An appeal for aid in a campaign against leprosy in India was launched by Lord Reading, the Viceroy, at a meeting at Delhi.

    Romania’s economic and financial position in the light of the recent Paris Conference was discussed at an interview between M. Bratiano, the Romanian Foreign Minister, and Mr Churchill.

    Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell, a former Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, is dead.

    The death is announced of Baron Friedrich von Hügel, the distinguished philosopher and theologian.

    The project of establishing in Scotland an industrial colony for the permanent care of the ‘feeble-minded’, where they could be segregated and taught useful employment, was presented at a largely attended meeting in The City Chambers, Edinburgh, presided over by the Lord Provost. Lady Leslie Mackenzie gave an outline of the proposal, which was supported in a communication from Professor Robertson and by Lord Sands and others.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 27 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 27 January 1925

    27 JANUARY 1925

    The interim report and recommendations of the Liberal Inquiry Committee, which have already been submitted to Mr Asquith, have now been issued. Fresh personnel in the Associations, further opportunities for women, the Young Liberals, and industrial and agricultural workers, the provision of a fighting fund, and the readjustment of the party machine, are among their recommendations.

    It is now officially announced that the King has been pleased to approve that the dignity of an Earldom of the United Kingdom be conferred on the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, K.C.

    Aoropos of Mr Asquith’s choice of a title, a sketch is given of the career of Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford in the reign of Queen Anne.

    Correspondence has passed between Mr Lloyd George and Lord Strachie in connection with a statement by the last-named that literature issued during the General Election by the Liberal Publications Department explaining Liberal land policy did considerable injury to Liberalism in the West of England.

    A further joint Allied Note on the subject of the evacuation of the Cologne zone was handed to the German Chancellor. It was in reply to the German Note of January 6, and it asserted that Articles 128 and 429 of the Versailles Treaty appeared to be misunderstood by the Government of the Reich. A fifteen years’ occupation was fixed by the Treaty, and the Articles in question contemplated a reduction only in the event of faithful observance of the Treaty. In due course the Allies would state what still remained to be done by Germany for her obligations to be considered as having been faithfully carried out.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 26 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 26 January 1925

    26 JANUARY 1925

    A Peerage is to be conferred on Mr Herbert Asquith, who has intimated his desire to be known by the style and title of Earl of Oxford.

    Mr A. J. Cook, general secretary of the Miners’ Federation, speaking at Doncaster, said he wanted to avoid a strike of miners alone, and he would consult the whole Trade Union movement—political, industrial, national, and international—before a move was made.

    A CONFERENCE on nationalisation of the mines, convened by the Independent Labour party, was held in Glasgow, at which Mr E. Shinwell and Mr Robert Smillie were the principal speakers. The opportunity was taken to make reply to the recent statement by Sir Adam Nimmo on the position of the coal industry.

    At a meeting in Edinburgh, Mr Adam Nimmo, chairman of the Lothians Coalowners’ Association, expressed the hope that if the existing wages agreement in the coal industry were to be terminated, an atmosphere would be created which would assure the success of negotiations for a new agreement.

    Mr W. Dobbie, president of the N.U.R., speaking at Brighton, said that in their new programme the Union had decided that there should be no agreement for any section unless the companies were prepared to settle for all.

    Some 600 delegates attended a Conference in London under the auspices of the national minority movement. A tribute was paid to Lenin, and cheers were raised for Soviet Russia.

    Fifty persons were injured in an alarming accident at Glasgow Central Station. The brakes of a special train conveying passengers from a football match at Cathkin Park failed to act, and a violent collision with the buffers resulted.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 25 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 25 January 1925

    25 JANUARY 1925

    At the invitation of the Prime Minister, the Old Berkeley Hounds met at Chequers.

    General Kuropatkin, formerly Minister of War and Russian Commander-in-Chief in the Russo-Japanese war, has died it was reported.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 January 1925

    24 JANUARY 1925

    A sitting of the French Chamber ended in great uproar. The disturbance, which lasted for a considerable time, arose out of feeling engendered by the defeat of a motion for the affichage, or public placarding, throughout France of M. Marin’s speech reflecting French sentiment on the question of war debt repayment.

    A motion of no-confidence in the Braun Government resulted in a tie in the Prussian Diet, and, in accordance with provisions of the Constitution, which require that such a motion must obtain a majority of the total membership of the House, was rejected. An outburst by angry Communists followed. At the close of the sitting, according to another message, the Socialist-Democrat-Centre party coalition held a meeting, as a result of which the Braun Cabinet decided to resign.

    Zahhlul Pasha, in an interview, complained of the manner in which the elections were being carried out by the present Government, alleging interference with Zaghlulists’ freedom of speech and movement.

    Five fishermen were drowned as the result of the wreck of the Aberdeen trawler Ulster on the Kincardineshire coast during dense fog in the early hours of the morning.

    Eight lives have been lost by the foundering of the British oil tanker Redline No. 1 in the Bristol Channel. The chief officer was the sole survivor. It is stated that the crew hailed from the Glasgow district.

    Lord Balfour, addressing the recently formed Alumni Association of Edinburgh University, spoke of the increased costs of modern teaching, and appealed for funds to meet the University’s needs.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 January 1925

    23 JANUARY 1925

    The National Executive of the Miners’ Federation at a meeting in London agreed to meet the coal-owners next week in order to hear their views in relation to their request for a joint committee to go into the present condition of the industry and investigate possible remedies.

    The claim by the locomotive engineers and firemen for the restoration of a guaranteed full day’s pay for any turn of duty on Sundays has been refused by the National Wages Board.

    The members of the London Press Club entertained the Prime Minister at luncheon, when they presented him with a pipe. He as Prime Minister and they as journalists, he said, were engaged in the common work of trying to elevate the people of this country.

    By 246 votes against 160, the German Reichstag adopted a motion approving the new Government’s declaration of policy.

    Viscount Kato, the Japanese Prime Minister, announced in the Diet at Tokyo that a Bill for the adoption of universal suffrage is to be introduced in the present session.

    In the French Chamber M. Briand, the ex-Premier, made a strong appeal to M. Herriot not to sever diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

    The announcement is made that an Army Council is to be created for Egypt with a view to assuring the greatest possible efficiency in the Army and the country’s defence system.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 22 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 22 January 1925

    22 JANUARY 1925

    The American Senate accepted without discussion or division an amendment to the Naval Bill requesting President Coolidge to call another Armaments Limitation Conference.

    What is regarded as a serious split has taken place at Geneva between Britain and America on the opium question.

    Details are given of the itinerary of the Prince of Wales’s visit to West Africa, South Africa, and Rhodesia during the summer.

    A Canadian Correspondent surveys the political situation in the Dominion in view of the opening of the Federal Parliament at Ottawa on February 5.

    In an address delivered in London before the Japan Society, Col. the Master of Sempill, R.A.F., forecasted the establishment in the very near future of an airship service between London and Tokio, the journey to be accomplished in about four days by way of Scotland, Norway, and the northern coasts of Russia.

    Speaking at a fortnightly luncheon of the National Liberal Club, Mr Lloyd George said it would be idle to say they did very well at the last election. They had expected cross winds. They encountered a tornado, and, frankly, they were prepared for neither. They were badly battered, but the vessel had not capsized.

    Evidence was given before the Food Prices Commission on behalf of the Union Cold Storage Company. This company’s ramifications regarding ranching, buying, cold storing, and retail selling were explained by Lord Vestey and his brother, Sir Edmund Vestey.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 21 January 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 21 January 1925

    21 JANUARY 1925

    The Indian Legislature was opened by Lord Reading, who after dealing with the economic and financial situation of the country and with the programme for the session, defended the special measures taken by him for the suppression of terrorism in Bengal.

    It has been found impossible to hold a special meeting of the Imperial Conference in London in March to discuss the Geneva Protocol, and the Colonial Office announces that an endeavour will be made by correspondence to arrive at a common conclusion on the issues involved.

    The Russo-Japanese negotiations have been concluded, and a Treaty was to be signed at Peking last night.

    In the German Reichstag, Herr Breitscheid, on behalf of the Socialists, attacked the new Government, and his remarks evoked angry protests from members of the Right.

    Loud applause greeted an announcement by M. Herriot in the French Chamber that the King of Spain had decided not to prosecute Señor Blasco Ibanez, the novelist.

    Viscount Cecil, at a sitting of the Opium Conference at Geneva, withdrew an allegation he had made that the consumption of the drug per capita was greater in America than in India.