Brian White: I'll grasp this opportunity with both hands
Brian White today pledged to grasp his Oxford opportunity with both hands after he finally won his battle to stay in this country.
The Wolverhampton-based chemistry scholar faced being deported when his application for a student grant to go to Oxford was refused when it transpired he did not have permission to live here.
He had been given temporary rather than indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
The 21-year-old’s life was on hold for more than a year while he appealed against the decision but Lady Margaret Hall agreed to keep the offer open for him.
His plight prompted more than 111,000 people to sign an online petition urging the Home Office to rethink its decision to refuse him indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
But Brian’s lawyer Louis MacWilliams confirmed yesterday: “The Home Office has given Brian indefinite leave to remain and finally rectified the apparent error that was committed when he first arrived in this country. They have corrected something of an injustice.”
The 21-year-old told the Express & Star, who first revealed his plight: “When I got the email from my lawyer telling me of the decision I just sat down and let it sink in.
“Then I started calling all the people who have helped me to say thank you. I owe so many people so much. I also thank the Express & Star for their support. The last 12 months have been very stressful but it has been worth every painful step of the way to get to where I am now.
The Express & Star spoke to Brian last week about his plight
“I have been offered a great opportunity in life and intend to take it with both hands and make the most of it.”
Sharon Bishop, a teacher at Highfields School, Penn, where Brian studied after arriving in this country from Africa at the age of 15, played a vital role in supporting him.
She said last night: “I burst into tears when I heard the news, and I never cry. I wept with joy for an hour.”
Brian’s lawyer Louis MacWilliams confirmed: “The Home Office has given Brian indefinite leave to remain and finally rectified the apparent error that was committed when he first arrived in this country. They have corrected something of an injustice.”
The Wolverhampton-based chemistry scholar faced being deported when his application for a student grant to go to Oxford was refused when it transpired he did not have permission to live here. He had been given temporary rather than indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
The 21-year-old’s life was on hold for more than a year while he appealed against the decision but Lady Margaret Hall agreed to keep the offer open for him.
His plight prompted more than 111,000 people to sign an online petition urging the Home Office to rethink its decision to refuse him indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Soul star Beverley Knight, from Wolverhampton, tweeted: “Excuse me, but this is AWESOME NEWS! For once, the #HomeOffice fixed up! I could cry I’m so happy! #BritainNeedsBrian.”
Meanwhile former Wolverhampton Grammar School pupil and now author Sathnam Sanghera said: “Brilliant news about Brian White from Wolverhampton –thanks to everyone who tweeted and signed petition.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson tweeted: “Result! Wolverhampton’s Brian White won’t be deported. Good luck studying at Oxford Uni Brian. You’ll be great.” Another of Brian’s supporters has been Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith who invited him to open her new office in Tettenhall Road, Chapel Ash on Saturday.
