ANOTHER MSP has been turned away by the Home Office after the department ruled it will only work with MPs.
Last month The National revealed how one Holyrood parliamentarian had been knocked-back by the department while trying to help a constituent.
Fulton MacGregor was informed that Home Secretary Sajid Javid "takes the view" that working with MPs on immigration matters is "the most appropriate route" because the Scottish Parliament has no powers over this area.
The news came as he continued to aid Coatbridge mother Olya Merry, whose deportation battle was highlighted by this newspaper.
Now the team has refused to work with Bob Doris MSP over the case of ten-year-old orphan Giorgi Kakava.
The youngster came to Scotland from Georgia at the age of three with his mother Sopio Baikhadze, who died from illness earlier this year, and is now in the care of his grandmother Ketino.
As many as 60,000 people backed a petition urging the government to let them live in Scotland permanently and Paul Sweeney MP raised the case with Theresa May in the House of Commons.
The Home Office has now granted the schoolboy right to remain for two and a half years, but Doris wants this to be upgraded to full citizenship.
But in a letter, officials refused to answer questions or provide information, stating: "MP Account Management Teams will not reply to any immigration matters about individuals that you might raise but we will of course continue to respond to any matters relating to immigration policy or non-case specific issues.
"Master Kakava’s case has been brought to our attention by his Westminster MP who has received a full response."
He says the refusal to deal with him on the youngster's future is "deeply disrespectful" to the family and others like them and has urged Javid to think again.
In a letter of response, has offered to work with the Home Office on the rules around similar cases, stating: "It is my opinion that this isn’t just a single constituency case, but a wider matter over immigration policy and how the Home Office treats vulnerable and orphaned children – and it is vital that changes are made to prevent more children having to go through the same difficulties that Giorgi has faced."
However, the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn MSP said of the knock-back: “It isn’t about disrespecting my office as an MSP, it is deeply disrespectful to the families who have come to MSPs looking for help and support, as Giorgi and his grandmother have done.
“To not even acknowledge my request for the permanent right to remain in the UK for young Giorgi is appalling and shows that there is no sign of a quick end to the ‘hostile environment’ policy.
“This is clearly an immigration policy matter – it is about how the Home Office treats vulnerable and orphaned children. On the basis of this response, they appear not to care about Giorgi or anyone else that is counting on them for help.
“I hope that Sajid Javid engages with me about how they can better treat young people who find themselves in situations such as Giorgi has, because it’s clear the current system isn’t working in their interests."
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