Former Scottish Tory leader Baroness Ruth Davidson has been asked to seek answers on a visa block for two desperate Ukrainian families.
Anna Puhach and sister Anastasiia Movchan have been paired with families in Dollar, Clackmannanshire, but are still stuck in war-ravaged Sumy two months after their visa requests were submitted. It is understood that a problem has been identified with Anna’s application – but the Home Office won’t say what it is.
Davidson is understood to have personally contacted refugee minister Richard Harrington and last night it emerged he had taken advice on Anna’s case and decided it would be treated as “non adverse”. It is hoped that a “permission to fly” letter will be issued, perhaps as soon as today.
Davidson intervened after campaigner David Louden wrote to the former politician. The Daily Record told last month how Anna and Anastasiia have spent weeks underground as they hide from Russian shell attacks.
David said: “Their situation is continuing to deteriorate. Their situation is truly desperate.”
Businessman David has so far helped bring 11 families to Dollar but has been confounded by the case of 38-year-old Anna – an accountant who was working as a geography teacher – and sons Ivan, 16, and Mykhailo, 14.
The family stayed in the basement of their home for 38 consecutive days after bombing while husband Yuriy volunteered with the military.
Anna’s sons have all been given permission to fly to Dollar by the UK Government. Her sister Anastasiia Movchan, her son Pavlo and daughter Iryna, both 13 are also clear to arrive.
Their father Andriy is also involved in the war effort. David, who set up the Dollar Refugee Hosting Group, was first contacted by the two families on May 10.
By May 16, his group had found them host families and by June 4 their visa applications were submitted. Last month they were told that, due to Anna having asthma, her case would be escalated.
The next day Anna’s sister’s visa was approved but weeks have passed and they still have no information. Davidson said she was unable to discuss the case.
The Department for Levelling Up said: “Applications are usually processed in the order they are received but cases vary in complexity and it is right we have safeguarding checks in place to ensure the safety of Ukrainians arriving in the UK.”
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