THE manager of an Indian restaurant in Marlow raided by the UK Border Agency claims officers have got it 'absolutely wrong'.

A possible £10,000 fine is hanging is over The Tiger Cub in Station Road, with the Government agency saying one Bangladeshi male, aged 38, was found to be working illegally.

The restaurant has denied he is an employee.

Mistur Rahman, manager at The Tiger Cub, claimed there had been a misunderstanding.

The agency has served the firm with a notice of liability last Monday regarding the man who they believe to be an illegal entrant to the UK.

The man was escorted out of the premises and will have to report to UKBA on a regular basis, while a decision is made.

Mr Rahman was distressed by the action taken and told the MFP: "He has not been working there and we don't employ anyone illegally. It's absolutely wrong, we will prove that at the end of the day.

"They have wrongly done this and I don't know why this has happened, it's not good. They have handled it badly, not humanely. "He doesn't work here, he didn't have any uniform or anything he was just sitting there.

"It's absolutely wrong, it's not true. The restaurant will provide the proof."

He said the man in question is not an employee and never has been but his brother does work there.

He said the man has been in the UK on a work permit and is currently seeking permission to stay permanently and his passport and details are with the Home Office.

Mr Rahman said the man was due to return home to Bangladesh for his mother's funeral, alongside his brother this week, but was unable to due to not having his passport.

He said: "He is really upset because he has also lost his mother, it's unbelievable. He has been in tears."

The agency said it was acting on intelligence.

Spokesman Adam Edwards said: "The Tiger Cub could now face a fine of up to £10,000 for employing the man, unless they can provide evidence that the correct right to work checks were carried out on the man."

The agency did not wish to comment on claims it had handled the matter badly.

It could be several months before a final decision.

Paul Smith, head of Thames Valley enforcement for the UK Border Agency, said: "Where we find someone who is in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them." www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/advice-for-employers or they can call the UK Border Agency’s Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.