THE Home Office has requested permission to appeal against the decision to let a US musician stay in Scotland.
Dr Steve Forman, a percussionist who teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, recently won an immigration appeal on human rights grounds.
The UK government is trying to deport Dr Forman, 68, on the basis that he earns too little to meet strict immigration rules.
The musician, who has played with legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, David Bowie and John Lennon, revealed his future was once again in doubt.
He said: “I received notice of the Home Office’s application for permission to appeal.
“I’m still in limbo. We knew the Home Office had the option to challenge the judge’s decision, but it was not expected that they would.
“The timing of this news is such that I was compelled by conscience to request a leave of absence from teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland until the question of my immigration status is unequivocally decided.”
He added: “I can’t adequately express my appreciation to the of people in Scotland and around the world. I’m indebted to thousands of colleagues, parliamentarians, neighbors, cab drivers, petition signers and letter writers, and uncounted individuals and families whose lives are torn asunder by current immigration policies.
“Please believe that I am committed to sustaining my struggle to continue living and working in Scotland until every legal option and means available to me has been exhausted.
“We are all saddened and frustrated by this development, but we are not defeated or intimidated.”
An immigration judge ruled that Dr Forman was an “exceptional” person and that there was an “exceptionally strong and compelling” case to let him stay in the UK.
Dr Forman does not claim benefits and earns in the region of £5,000 a month once his salary, royalties and other sources of income are taken into account.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said: “It’s a shame. We were just moving forward with Steve – we were re-establishing the classes. We are supporting him as best we can. Hopefully it gets resolved in Steve’s favour and he’ll be back.”A Home Office spokesman confirmed that the application had been made but refused to comment further.
