Local student Andrei Bazanov Wins Immigration Appeal with Exceptional Leave to Remain

6.29.04pm GMT Mon 28th Feb 2005

Presenting a petition to 10 Downing Street, Annette Brooke MP, Andrei Bazanov and friends

Following many representations made to the Home Office over several months, Annette Brooke MP finally received word that her constituent, 19 year old Andrei Bazanov, has been given exceptional Leave to Remain for two years at the discretion of the Home Secretary.

The Minister for Nationality, Immigration and Asylum, Des Browne MP, contacted Annette Brooke to advise her that: "In light of your representations, and after careful consideration, I have instructed the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) to exceptionally grant Mr. Bazanov leave to remain in the United Kingdom."

Andrei Bazanov received his papers, including his Immigration Status Document, from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on Friday, 25 February.

In January, with the guidance of former human rights barrister and colleague, Simon Hughes MP, Annette Brooke made a final plea to the Home Secretary setting out the compelling and persuasive arguments for Andrei Bazanov to be granted Leave to Remain, at least for the remainder of his engineering studies at Bournemouth University, which his is self funding.

A high profile campaign led by the Bournemouth Echo since October 2004 highlighted the injustice of the Home Office's earlier decision to refuse Mr. Bazanov leave to remain in the UK, given his exceptional academic success at Bournemouth Grammar School and his hard work and dedication to establish himself in the community.

Students at Mr. Bazanov's former school gained over 1700 signatures on a petition in support of their friend, and joined Annette Brooke MP in Westminster where they presented a copy of the petition to 10 Downing Street and the Home Office. Annette Brooke MP also presented the petition formally in the House of Commons.

Following his plight on BBC South and Meridian news, dozens of individuals wrote to Mrs. Brooke's office offering their support for Mr. Bazanov's case. Each representation was forwarded to the Home Secretary to make known the degree of support in Dorset and across the South for a bright, hardworking, committed and energetic young man with exceptionally positive qualities.

While Andrei, his foster family and local MP are surprised and disappointed by the grant of only two years Leave to Remain, but they are confident that this is a small error by the Home Office which will be cleared up in due course following further discussions with the IND.

Annette Brooke MP said:

"I am delighted for Andrei and his foster family and friends that he has been given two years Leave to Remain in the UK. After so many years of uncertainty and insecurity, Andrei no longer has to worry about his future in the UK and can focus on his studies at Bournemouth University, his job at Comet and his foster family and friends who have been so supportive over the past years.

"In particular, I want to thank the people who signed petitions in support of Andrei and to those who wrote to me and directly to the Home Office or Prime Minister setting out the strong case for a young man like Andrei to stay in the UK. Their efforts were not ignored, but such a strong and powerful voice as public opinion was finally heard."

Simon Hughes MP will provide a written statement at the press launch.