UK Voice: London University files suit over Government's student visa ban

A row between UK immigration officials and a London University is now heading to court.

London Metropolitan University said it has begun legal action after it was stripped of its power to sponsor international students.

Furious about the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) decision to revoke its Highly Trusted Status licence the University said it would “defend its reputation” by challenging the agency’s judgement.

The institution, which could lose up to £30 million a year because of the decision, said it would announce further details of legal action later this week.

UKBA said it made the decision after it found that a number of the university's students did not have good English and half of them sampled were not turning up to lectures.

Immigration officials said they took action after the University failed to improve several failings identified six-months-ago.

Around 2,600 foreign students are said to be affected by the move.

Some of them and their student union representatives protested outside the Prime Minister’s office, Downing Street in central London last week, after being told on August 29, they now have until December 1 to find another course or be deported.

In a statement released today, London Metropolitan University said: “London Metropolitan University has instructed its lawyers Penningtons Solicitors LLP to commence urgent legal action to challenge the revocation of its highly trusted status for sponsoring international students, so that its students can return to study as a matter of urgency.”

Professor Malcolm Gillies, Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University said: "London Met will fight this revocation, which is based on a highly flawed report by the UKBA.

The University will continue to give top priority to the interests of our international students who have been so distressed by this precipitate action."

The government has been harshly criticised over the decision by officials such as Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students (NUS). He said the UK Border Agency decision “will create panic and potential heartbreak for students not just at London Met but also all around the country”.

There have already been protests by students who told The Voice the government's decision has left them "gutted" and "in fear" of the future.

The government may also face further protests from students.

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