London Metropolitan University had its status as a highly trusted sponsor of foreign students suspended by the UK Border Agency in July. According to a report seen by the Sunday Times, it has been judged a "threat to immigration control" and will no longer be allowed to authorise visas.

Foreign students at the university do not know whether they will be allowed to stay when the new term begins or whether they have to move elsewhere to keep their right to stay in Britain.

The university's vice chancellor, Professor Malcolm Gillies, told the Today programme that he did not believe it was a threat

"The university has been working for the last year, like most universities, to make sure it's up to date with what the border agency is requiring. There have been many changes this year. We've even had an audit and then a review of all of our files. The Border Agency has been auditing us a number of times and they've asked a series of questions of us, we've put answers back and we don't have any response to that," he explained

"I'd like to know what exactly is being claimed here and what is the evidence for it."

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