Chowdhury was convicted of nine counts of fraud at Southwark Crown Court following an investigation by Defra's Counter Fraud and Investigations team.

Sarah Melo, specialist prosecutor at the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate , said: ‘Kashim Chowdhury deliberately concealed the true extent of his employment so that he could obtain and be paid for multiple full-time jobs at the same time.

‘He repeatedly misrepresented the true nature of his employment status, while continuing to receive full-time salaries from other public bodies.'

Chowdhury worked in full-time roles for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Defra for more than a year before obtaining a further full-time job with the East London NHS Trust.

During 2022, he held positions with Defra, the DHSC, UKHSA, the DBT, the FSA and the Home Office.

Between 20 March and 31 May 2023, Chowdhury, who claimed he had to work from home to care for his ill mother, had five full-time jobs.

Melo added: ‘This was sustained and deliberate dishonesty. He knew he could not legitimately hold multiple full-time positions at the same time, but continued to conceal what he was doing.

‘His actions were motivated by financial gain, allowing him to receive multiple salaries through his fraudulent conduct, which we will now seek to reclaim through the Proceeds of Crime Act.'