Adopted maths genius wins battle to stay in the UK and take up his place at Oxford University
Straight-A student, who had been rescued from an orphanage as child, had feared his immigration status could cost him a place at Oxford
A BRAINY student has won his battle to remain in Britain indefinitely and take up a place at Oxford University.
Brian White, 21, had faced a race against time after being told he can not legally stay in the UK - despite living in the country with his British parents for six years.
But Brian has now been allowed to stay and take up his place at the top uni.
The news was announced by a friend of Mr White who organised a petition calling on the Home Office to grant the “brilliant” student, from Wolverhampton, indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Mr White, who lived in a Zimbabwean orphanage until the age of six and was fostered and later adopted by the White family, had an application to become a British citizen by naturalisation rejected in 2014.
The straight-A student had feared his immigration status could cost him a place at Oxford to study chemistry.
His friend Luke Wilcox then set up the petition, signed by more than 110,000 well-wishers, urging the Home Office to grant indefinite leave to remain to "a fantastic person who is just as much a part of British culture and society as you and I".
In a statement Mr Wilcox said: "At the moment we would like to enjoy some personal time.
"But we would like to thank all those that supported the campaign and signed the petition, and we are grateful to them for helping change Brian's life."
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West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson last week called on the Home Office to "act quickly" and "see sense" in its consideration of the case.
Calling for the case to be fast-tracked, Mr Jamieson said: "Brian is an exceptionally bright and talented young man and he must be allowed to fulfil his full potential."
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