Boris Johnson faced embarrassment last night after his girlfriend was barred from visiting the United States.
Carrie Symonds, 31, applied for a visa to go to America in the next few days as part of her job with a US-based environmental group, but the American authorities have blocked the request.
It is believed the decision stems from a five-day visit made last year by Miss Symonds to East Africa, a region riven by civil war.
The Prime Minister's girlfriend went with her friend Nimco Ali, a campaigner against female genital mutilation, who was born in Somaliland.
During their trip, they met the self-declared Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss women's issues and sea pollution.
The UK is among a handful of nations who have diplomatic relations with Somaliland, which broke away from neighbouring Somalia in 1991.
But crucially, the US – which backs Somalia – does not.
Posted by Ladun Liadi at 12:07 PM
Carrie Symonds, 31, applied for a visa to go to America in the next few days as part of her job with a US-based environmental group, but the American authorities have blocked the request.
It is believed the decision stems from a five-day visit made last year by Miss Symonds to East Africa, a region riven by civil war.
The Prime Minister's girlfriend went with her friend Nimco Ali, a campaigner against female genital mutilation, who was born in Somaliland.
During their trip, they met the self-declared Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss women's issues and sea pollution.
The UK is among a handful of nations who have diplomatic relations with Somaliland, which broke away from neighbouring Somalia in 1991.
But crucially, the US – which backs Somalia – does not.
Posted by Ladun Liadi at 12:07 PM
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