A YOUNG Syrian refugee who faced being left at home in Edinburgh while his classmates went on a school trip to Spain now looks set to travel with his friends after all.
Following the intervention of the SNP’s Joanna Cherry, the UK Government has said it will step up efforts to secure papers for the youngster, who was told he would miss out because of Home Office procedures.
READ MORE: Urgent probe into Home Office passport mix-up in south of Scotland
The MP for Edinburgh South West raised the case of the 12-year-old, referred to only as Mohammed, with Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
The primary seven class at Mohammed’s school, Canal View Primary in Wester Hailes, won a Jet2 competition for a holiday to Sol Katmadu Park & Resort in Majorca next month.
Mohammed was told he would be unable to join his classmates because applying for his travel documents could take up to three months.
READ MORE: First Minister responds to Greens' Brexit campaign call
Yesterday, the Home Office confirmed it will do all it can to ensure he can go.
Cherry said: “I was delighted that following my request to the Prime Minister yesterday, I was able to tell the school that Mohammed will get his documents on time.
“I hear that Mohammed and the rest of the class were given the news first thing this morning to lots of cheers of delight and a few tears of joy.
“A senior caseworker at the Home Office has now received Mohammed’s application and everything is in hand to get him his travel documents.
“I hope Mohammed and the rest of the class have a great trip.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel