Government urged to welcome refugee dons

John Ashworth, former Cabinet Office chief scientist and director of the London School of Economics and new president of the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (Cara), has cautioned the government about the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill.

He said the UK must ensure "that the good record of welcoming academic refugees is recognised and continued. The system of asylum entry must ensure that all cases are dealt with speedily and efficiently, with applicants remaining in this country while their cases and any appeals are considered."

He said this approach was needed both out of common humanity and enlightened self-interest - 18 Nobel laureates and 100 fellows of the Royal Society and British Academy have been helped by Cara.