64,000 back Oxford-bound Brian’s fight to stay in UK
Tens of thousands of people have backed a Wolverhampton-based orphan's bid to stay in the UK and take up a place at Oxford University in an amazing show of support.
A petition urging the Home Office to allow Zimbabwe-born Brian White to stay in the country and seize the life changing opportunity collected more than 44,000 signatures in three days after its launch last week.
By this morning the figure had further soared to 64,241.
The petition was started by Luke Wilcox, 19, who studied at Highfields School, Penn, at the same time as Brian, now 21. He said it would be 'disgusting' if his friend was refused permission to stay here and deported.
Luke added: "Its terrifying to think he could be sent back. He has got no links there - no family, no friends."
Sharon Bishop, one of the Highfields teachers who encouraged Brian to apply for a university place after being impressed by his talent when he started studying at the school following his arrival in Britain aged 15, explained: "We felt really helpless just waiting as time ran out for him. The petition was a last throw of the dice.
"Brian is much more than just an outstanding pupil. He is a young man who has the potential to make a massive contribution to this country. We are delighted so many people agree with us."
Brian confessed: "I am overwhelmed by the response."
He lived in an orphanage in Zimbabwe until the age of six when a missionary spotted the bright boy's potential and introduced him to British-born Peter White who was working in the country and had two children and a Zimbabwean wife.
Mr White first fostered and then adopted Brian who was 12 when he moved with his new family to Botswana where he was later left with one of their friend's on their return to live in Penn.
He was allowed to join them at the age of 15 but it is believed immigration officials blundered by giving him temporary rather than indefinite leave to remain here.
The alleged slip was only spotted when Brian's application for a student grant - following the offer to study chemistry at Lady Margaret Hall after he got 3 A*s and an A in A Levels last year - was rejected when it was discovered he had inadvertently overstayed his temporary visa and faced deportation.
He appealed and the Oxford University college agreed to defer his place for 12 months while the wrangle was resolved. But they need an answer by the end of this month.
Meanwhile Brian's foster father, whose marriage collapsed, has been taken into care leaving the student to live with friends in Penn while his future is decided.
Miss Bishop concluded: "The Home Office decision is imminent and we all have our fingers crossed that he gets the right result."
