Latest news with #BenLack
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking ‘Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN
The hotel is part of a group which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years CHEEKY BURGERS Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking 'Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN A SECRET Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen in a taxpayer-funded asylum hotel was exposed when two workers filmed themselves going inside. Footage showed fast-food orders being prepared on the premises, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Advertisement 5 A pop-up kitchen at the taxpayer-funded asylum hotel Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, has been exposed Credit: Ben Lack 5 A sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, states 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point' Credit: YouTube 5 The kitchen at the asylum hotel was being sub-let to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks Credit: YouTube Home Office officials confirmed to The Sun it was a 'misuse' of asylum accommodation — whose bosses have been paid millions to house migrants. An investigation was last night under way to assess if the pop-up kitchen at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, was illegal under the terms of a contract signed between the Government and bosses of EC4 Hotel Ltd, the firm behind the accommodation. The probe will establish if EC4 broke the law by sub-letting the kitchen in recent months to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks. 'Scared to speak up' Wakefield Council, which gave the businesses a license to operate, also launched an investigation. Advertisement EC4, which has three other hotels, is run by Monaco-based Nadja Kovic Nassar, 66, and had a turnover of nearly £18million in 2024. The Home Office spends £5million a day on contracts with Clearsprings, Mears Group and Serco to provide them with asylum accommodation. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, admitted last month that the controls the Government has over the contracts and their subcontractors were 'quite weak'. The Cedar Court hotel is part of the deal with Mears Group — which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years, from 2019 to 2029. Advertisement The row broke out after two men filmed themselves walking into the Cedar Court kitchen to show it was being used to cook grub for fast food customers. Footage showed a sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, which stated: 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point'. Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose Security officials swiftly moved the local duo off the premises and called police to the scene. In 2023 the Home Office announced plans to increase the number of asylum seeker spaces at Cedar Court from 148 to 306. Last night the hotel was on lockdown with security guarding the entrance — telling visitors it was private property. Advertisement A number of migrants were seen in the grounds seeking shade beneath a gazebo at the rear. A small five-a-side football goal was set up on the grass nearby. One staff member arriving for work refused to comment but said the hotel was closed and had been for five years to accommodate the migrants. A distraught neighbour said: 'There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working. They go to the bus stop and get picked up from the lay-by early in the morning. 'I've no idea what they're doing but they are working. They're all on bikes, coming and going. Advertisement 'I can't tell you how distressing it is. They hang around in large groups and I'm scared to go out. 'I was shocked to see the Deliveroo sign at the back but not surprised. 5 Fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks have been shut down after the kitchen was exposed 'The Government is putting these people in small rural residential areas without a care for the people who live here. Advertisement 'We've spoken to the police repeatedly but they're just not interested. We're scared to speak up because we fear reprisals.' There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working Distraught neighbour In May a report said three firms who turned their hotels into migrant hubs — Clearsprings, Mears and Serco — had made combined profits of £383million since 2019 after the expected costs of housing asylum seekers tripled. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, Clearsprings and Mears said they would pay money back. Serco said they had not made enough profit to do so. When the taxpayer-funded contracts were signed in 2019, the vast majority of people were housed in accommodation within communities. Around a third are now housed in hotels, which come at a far greater expense to the public finances. Advertisement The Home Office last night confirmed that the takeaway kitchen operating in the Cedar Court Hotel was 'immediately' closed. A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: 'This activity is wholly unacceptable. 'Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider. Cops in stab vests 5 A migrant in a Just eat delivery outfit pictured on his bike outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel, London Credit: Ray Collins Advertisement 'They have said residents at the hotel were not involved. "We take all allegations of misuse of asylum accommodation and the safety of residents extremely seriously. We will now be investigating.' Earlier this week the government called in bosses of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to demand urgent action to prevent immigration- offending on their platforms. It came after The Sun revealed how asylum seekers were suspected of earning from Just Eat and Deliveroo takeaway drops while claiming taxpayer handouts. Advertisement Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider Home Office The delivery firms agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to help ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. Bosses were read the riot act at the precise moment on Tuesday as Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London. More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants returning from shifts. Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes. The Sun approached Cedar Court Hotels, Mears Group and Wakefield Council for comment. Advertisement Last night fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks had been shut down. A Deliveroo spokesperson told The Sun: 'Virtual brands like Absurd Stacks are fully registered food businesses, offering a delivery-only restaurant service. 'After being made aware of the potential relationship between the hotel group running the virtual brand and the Home Office, we suspended them from our platform while we investigate further.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We have suspended this restaurant's access to our platform and are fully investigating.'
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking ‘Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN
A SECRET Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen in a taxpayer-funded asylum hotel was exposed when two workers filmed themselves going inside. Footage showed fast-food orders being prepared on the premises, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Advertisement 5 A pop-up kitchen at the taxpayer-funded asylum hotel Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, has been exposed Credit: Ben Lack 5 A sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, states 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point' Credit: YouTube 5 The kitchen at the asylum hotel was being sub-let to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks Credit: YouTube Home Office officials confirmed to The Sun it was a 'misuse' of asylum accommodation — whose bosses have been paid millions to house migrants. An investigation was last night under way to assess if the pop-up kitchen at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, was illegal under the terms of a contract signed between the Government and bosses of EC4 Hotel Ltd, the firm behind the accommodation. The probe will establish if EC4 broke the law by sub-letting the kitchen in recent months to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks. 'Scared to speak up' Wakefield Council, which gave the businesses a license to operate, also launched an investigation. Advertisement READ MORE UK NEWS EC4, which has three other hotels, is run by Monaco-based Nadja Kovic Nassar, 66, and had a turnover of nearly £18million in 2024. The Home Office spends £5million a day on contracts with Clearsprings, Mears Group and Serco to provide them with asylum accommodation. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame The Cedar Court hotel is part of the deal with Mears Group — which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years, from 2019 to 2029. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive The row broke out after two men filmed themselves walking into the Cedar Court kitchen to show it was being used to cook grub for fast food customers. Footage showed a sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, which stated: 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point'. Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose Security officials swiftly moved the local duo off the premises and called police to the scene. In 2023 the Home Office announced plans to increase the number of asylum seeker spaces at Cedar Court from 148 to 306. Last night the hotel was on lockdown with security guarding the entrance — telling visitors it was private property. Advertisement A number of migrants were seen in the grounds seeking shade beneath a gazebo at the rear. A small five-a-side football goal was set up on the grass nearby. One staff member arriving for work refused to comment but said the hotel was closed and had been for five years to accommodate the migrants. A distraught neighbour said: 'There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working. They go to the bus stop and get picked up from the lay-by early in the morning. 'I've no idea what they're doing but they are working. They're all on bikes, coming and going. Advertisement 'I can't tell you how distressing it is. They hang around in large groups and I'm scared to go out. 'I was shocked to see the Deliveroo sign at the back but not surprised. 5 Fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks have been shut down after the kitchen was exposed 'The Government is putting these people in small rural residential areas without a care for the people who live here. Advertisement 'We've spoken to the police repeatedly but they're just not interested. We're scared to speak up because we fear reprisals.' There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working Distraught neighbour In May a report said three firms who turned their hotels into migrant hubs — Clearsprings, Mears and Serco — had made combined profits of £383million since 2019 after the expected costs of housing asylum seekers tripled. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, When the taxpayer-funded contracts were signed in 2019, the vast majority of people were housed in accommodation within communities. Around a third are now housed in hotels, which come at a far greater expense to the public finances. Advertisement The Home Office last night confirmed that the takeaway kitchen operating in the Cedar Court Hotel was 'immediately' closed. A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: 'This activity is wholly unacceptable. 'Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider. Cops in stab vests 5 A migrant in a Just eat delivery outfit pictured on his bike outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel, London Credit: Ray Collins Advertisement 'They have said residents at the hotel were not involved. "We take all allegations of misuse of asylum accommodation and the safety of residents extremely seriously. We will now be investigating.' Earlier this week the government called in bosses of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to demand urgent action to prevent immigration- offending on their platforms. It came after Advertisement Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider Home Office The delivery firms agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to help ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. Bosses were read the riot act at the precise moment on Tuesday as Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London. More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants returning from shifts. Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes. The Sun approached Cedar Court Hotels, Mears Group and Wakefield Council for comment. Advertisement Last night fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks had been shut down. A Deliveroo spokesperson told The Sun: 'Virtual brands like Absurd Stacks are fully registered food businesses, offering a delivery-only restaurant service. 'After being made aware of the potential relationship between the hotel group running the virtual brand and the Home Office, we suspended them from our platform while we investigate further.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We have suspended this restaurant's access to our platform and are fully investigating.' Advertisement
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van ‘bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage
STEPHEN Mulhern's game show You Bet! was halted after a van burst into flames - with fire engines rushing to the scene. The TV star, 48, will return to our screens for the second series later this year and will be presenting solo after Holly Willoughby quit the show in March. Advertisement 4 YouBet! filming was thrown into chaos after a van caught fire on set Credit: Ben Lack 4 The incident happened on Friday as host Stephen Mulhern prepared to film an Emmerdale segment Credit: Ben Lack 4 Stephen will be back for a second series later this year Credit: ITV But filming for the new series hasn't gone smooth sailing. Popular telly host was filming a special Emmerdale segment in Yorkshire last Friday when a vehicle burst into flames. The fire quickly spread to prop vans nearby, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Images showed ash and rubble around the destroyed vehicle on the grounds of Harewood House, where Emmerdale is filmed in Leeds. Advertisement READ MORE ON STEPHEN MULHERN "The blaze just started from a random vehicle which then resulted in vans used by the crew also go up in flames," an eyewitness told the 'There was obvious panic and it's a miracle nobody was harmed." The fire reportedly happened in close proximity to the ITV soap - but did not spread inside where filming takes place. As a result, filming was suspended but is set to continue this week. Advertisement Most read in News TV A spokesperson for You Bet! said to the publication: "Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution. "The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services and no-one was injured or affected. Watch the moment Stephen Mulhern is left red-faced as he makes HUGE blunder on Catchphrase puzzle "The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority.' A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire Service added: "We were called at 15.57 on Friday to reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue. Advertisement "We sent two crews, Moortown and Wetherby. "On arrival this was found to be two vehicles on fire which crews extinguished. No reports of any injuries. "The cause has been recorded as accidental." ITV confirmed Advertisement It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road. Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country. An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. "Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points. Advertisement "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series. In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show. An ITV spokesman told : "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." Advertisement The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success. Rob Beckett, Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them. Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes. Advertisement The likes of Bruce Forsyth, 4 Holly Willoughby quit the game show back in March Credit: ITV
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van ‘bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage
The game show is back with a brand new format GAME SHOW MAYHEM Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van 'bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STEPHEN Mulhern's game show You Bet! was halted after a van burst into flames - with fire engines rushing to the scene. The TV star, 48, will return to our screens for the second series later this year and will be presenting solo after Holly Willoughby quit the show in March. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 YouBet! filming was thrown into chaos after a van caught fire on set Credit: Ben Lack 4 The incident happened on Friday as host Stephen Mulhern prepared to film an Emmerdale segment Credit: Ben Lack 4 Stephen will be back for a second series later this year Credit: ITV But filming for the new series hasn't gone smooth sailing. Popular telly host Stephen was filming a special Emmerdale segment in Yorkshire last Friday when a vehicle burst into flames. The fire quickly spread to prop vans nearby, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Images showed ash and rubble around the destroyed vehicle on the grounds of Harewood House, where Emmerdale is filmed in Leeds. "The blaze just started from a random vehicle which then resulted in vans used by the crew also go up in flames," an eyewitness told the Mail. 'There was obvious panic and it's a miracle nobody was harmed." The fire reportedly happened in close proximity to the ITV soap - but did not spread inside where filming takes place. As a result, filming was suspended but is set to continue this week. A spokesperson for You Bet! said to the publication: "Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution. "The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services and no-one was injured or affected. Watch the moment Stephen Mulhern is left red-faced as he makes HUGE blunder on Catchphrase puzzle "The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority.' A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire Service added: "We were called at 15.57 on Friday to reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue. "We sent two crews, Moortown and Wetherby. "On arrival this was found to be two vehicles on fire which crews extinguished. No reports of any injuries. "The cause has been recorded as accidental." ITV confirmed You Bet! will be back with new episodes following the successful relaunch last year, but with a new format change. It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road. Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country. An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. "Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points. "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series. In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show. An ITV spokesman told TV Zone: "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success. Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond, Harry Redknapp and Rosie Ramsey made up the star gamblers as contestants vied for a £10,000 prize. Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them. Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes. The likes of Bruce Forsyth, Matthew Kelly and Darren Day previously fronted the show on their own.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
I have to tear down £50k Grand Designs-style mansion as council say it ‘doesn't fit'… but it's only trains who see it
A BUILDER has been ordered to tear down his £50k Grand Designs-style mansion after the council said it doesn't fit in. Tonnes of soil was excavated from Shokat Khan's 3 Shokat Khan added a new building at the bottom of his property's garden in Bradford Credit: Ben Lack 3 But he has left it unfinished for two years due to council's plans to demolish it Credit: Ben Lack 3 They have called the building illegal with its 'incongruous' and 'prominent' design Credit: Ben Lack The father-of-one, who is originally from America, wanted to "bring a slice of California" to his West Yorkshire home that is fit with a home office, games room, It is cleverly hidden from view by a railway embankment below, and therefore only visible to trains passing by. However, council officials have rules the structure was built without permission, and declared the entire £50,000 project illegal. Following years of investment by Mr Khan into the ambitious build, the council have ordered for it to be demolished. Mr Khan, thinking his property would not be intrusive or overbearing for neighbours, said: ""Because it's in a valley that nobody can see, I thought it was perfect. "I won't build it up, I'll build it down, so you can't see anything." He added: "The building inspector came out in 2008 and gave me the go-ahead, and I never heard anything from the council for years. "There was no suggestion at all that I had done anything wrong." Most read in Money If But because Mr Khan did it all himself, from removing the vegetation, laying concrete foundations, and building up from the foot of the embankment to garden level, he thought the project fell within permitted development rights. Iconic Grand Designs 'perfect' house which couple spent 20 years 'painstakingly' renovating hits market for £1.5million Bradford Council, however, took enforcement action last August by demanding he demolish the structure within three months. They described the building as "incongruous" and "prominent" with its modern design, white render finishing and 'scale, massing and position upon an otherwise undeveloped embankment." During a planning committee meeting, planners also claimed the rooftop terrace provided 'unrestricted views into the most private areas' of a neighbour's home. Mr Khan argues the council's enforcement action comes too late, as the project was started more than decade ago. He also insists the annex was built to a very high standard, with structural engineer backing: "I've gone at least five times over what is stipulated by building regulations. "When I build something, I build something where it's going to last." "I've done everything by the book, gone above and beyond," Mr Khan continued. "I've worked on it after work, digging and building myself." "You just want to create something beautiful that'll be there after you're gone - and still, you're treated like you've done something wrong.' The 55-year-old still has greater plans for the property, including installing a kitchenette, toilet, Jacuzzi and full-size pool table. But he may have to demolish the building entirely, if his current appeal to the Planning Inspectorate is unsuccessful. Mr Khan is determined to fight if it comes to it: "I've got lawyers. I'll go all the way. Anyone with sense can see the value in what I've built. "It's not intrusive at all. You have to think of people other than yourself. "I could have built a granny annex at ground level which would have been imposing - instead they're looking at something much nicer." He expects the home could be finished within five months, but it's been two years since he has done anything to its interior due to fears its demolition could come at any moment. "I've felt like jumping off the rooftop because of all this constant harassment from the council." Bradford Council, however, have defended their decisions and stated: "The difficulty with this proposal is that the size of the outbuilding with the amount of floor space over multiple levels is substantial in the context of a private dwelling. "The building is large and the floorspace is utilised over multiple floors, and the local planning authority has not been provided with any details or any explanations as to why such an amount of space for an outbuilding use would be required for that amount of ancillary space." Read more on the Irish Sun Mr Khan suspects the source of council's antagonism may be a But he thought the build would be something all the neighbours could enjoy.
