BRITISH border officials, who refused a young boy a visa to
visit London in order to see his uncle compete in the 2012
Paralympics later this month (News, 3 August), have
rescinded their decision.
Earlier this summer, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) refused
nine-year-old Daniel Munro permission to travel from his home in
Vietnam with his mother, Anne, to see her brother John compete in
the sitting volleyball team. UKBA officials at the embassy in
Thailand said that they believed Daniel could not support himself
financially, and would need state help. They also said that they
were "not satisfied" that he and his mother would "be maintained
and accommodated adequately by relatives or friends", nor that
they could "meet the cost of the return journey".
Ms Munro appealed, but was told that the case would not be
considered until the autumn.
After details of her plight appeared in the Church
Times, however, the embassy asked her to resubmit her
paperwork. This week, a delighted Ms Munro said: "On Monday, I
received a phone call saying that they had approved my son's visa.
I am, of course, delighted . . . and I look forward to seeing my
brother play at the Games.
"I know that had it not gone to the media, Daniel's visa might
not have been approved until November, when the Games are well and
truly over."
A UKBA spokeswoman in London said that the visa had been granted
in the light of fresh evidence submitted.