Vince Cable

British Olympic medal hope - Teddington based Mo Farah - has two protégés who also live locally and train with him at St Mary's College; but their hopes of running for Britain are being blocked by the Home Office.

Samatar Farah and Moumin Gelle are, like Mo, originally from Somalia; came to the UK in, respectively, 2001 and 2003 as 16 and 17 year old boys after their ethnic group was targeted for persecution by the war lords who dominated Somalia, and still do, in the ruinous civil war. Both are outstanding middle distance runners but they are made to travel to compete with British teams because their immigration status does not entitle them to a passport and re-entry to the UK.

Vincent Cable, MP, has taken up their case with the Home Office and they are also supported by the UK Athletics Association, which is sponsoring them as stars of the future, and St Mary's. Vincent Cable said: "Samatar has been waiting for 7 years and Moumin 5 years for a decision on their status. They are currently in a state of limbo. After I made representations to the immigration minister, the Home Office has agreed to consider Samatar's case urgently but not, yet, Moumin's. Some people may remember how the South African athlete Zola Budd was given a UK passport within days to allow her to compete for Britain. Yet these are genuine refugees who have lived here for some yeas and want to compete for Britain".

"I was originally successful in helping to get Mo Farah's status sorted out and he is now one of our stars. I hope these young men can also fulfil there dream of running for Britain".