‘No verdict’ on stripping university of right to admit foreign students

According to The Sunday Times, London Metropolitan University has been judged a “threat to immigration control” and would no longer be allowed to authorise visas.

Its Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status was suspended last month while the UK Border Agency (UKBA) examined alleged failings.

A permanent withdrawal could mean more than 2,000 students being ejected from the country.

But a UKBA spokeswoman said yesterday: “We have not made a decision yet.

“Any education provider has to meet strict standards, ensuring they provide high quality education, and take their immigration responsibilities seriously.

“We will not tolerate any abuse of the immigration system.”

The university’s vice chancellor, Malcolm Gillies, expressed anger at the impact of the uncertainty on students. “As far as we are officially aware, UKBA is still working through an analysis of our case,” he said.

“On July 16 the UKBA suspended the university’s HTS status until further notice over fears that a small minority of its international students did not have accurate documentation to remain in the UK.

“For the last six weeks we have repeatedly tried to liaise with the UKBA to understand further their concerns, which seem to be focused on processes related to the legacy of previous management.

“Disappointingly, the UKBA has been unwilling to communicate with the university, despite the growing £10m-plus hole their action has already left on our balance sheet.

“To learn that we are to have our HTS status revoked via a newspaper, with the panic that this can cause for thousands of students, is outrageous.”