Photographer's assistant prevented from attending exhibition by Immigration

Nick Danziger, the well known photojournalist, has expressed his disgust at the treatment given to one of his assistants by UK immigration officials.

31-year-old Ethiopian Hiluf Berhe, an archaeology doctorate, accompanied Mr Danziger on his recent British Council adventure into France to act as translator and guide on an assignment to study the local Christian community. The African student was granted permission to enter France to join Mr Danziger but was denied by immigration red-tape the opportunity to be on-hand at the exhibition’s opening at Kensington’s Royal Geographic Society.

Berhe’s application was received by the UK Border Agency on the 29th of August via their office in Bordeaux, however the passport and visa were only returned some two weeks later on the 12th of September, the day after the exhibition opening. Danziger was incensed by the delay which resulted in Berhe missing the official London reception for the show he helped create, claiming that the blatant bureaucracy behind the delays were deterring not just valid travellers, but artists such as himself.

In response to Danziger’s claims, a spokeperson from the Home Office advised that all applications were aimed at being turned around within 10 days, noting that they do advise applicants to allow as much notice as possible.

The latest slur on immigration comes following repeated rebukes piled on the government for supposedly deterring applicants from poorer countries in line with the changes made last year which saw tougher criteria imposed on funding and qualifications.