THE Archbishop of Canterbury has pledged his personal support for a Kosovan teenager fighting to remain in Britain after the Home Office rejected his claim for asylum.

In what is believed to be an unprecedented move, Rowan Williams intervened in the case by supplying immigration officials with a glowing character reference for Edmond Pone, who was smuggled into the UK in the back of a lorry four years ago.

Pone, now 18, was picked up by the authorities in south Wales aged 14 after fleeing ethnic strife in his homeland. He was placed by social services with church-going foster parents in Ebbw Vale, Gwent. Another Kosovan youth, Krenar Lleshi, who came on the same lorry as Pone, was also placed with the couple.

The teenagers’ supporters say they have fully integrated into the local community despite being unable to speak a word of English when they came to Britain. They are both pursuing NVQ courses at a further education college.

Williams came to know of the boys because their foster parents Julia Gregg and Steve Crandon worship in the diocese of Monmouth where he was previously bishop.

When Pone’s asylum claim was turned down by the Home Office at the end of last year, Williams wrote to Gregg to say he would do all he could to help reverse the decision. True to his word, he provided a character reference for the teenager which was submitted as evidence as part of an appeal hearing.

“I have known Edmond for most of his time in the UK,” wrote Williams. “I can confirm that his involvement in the local community is real: people in the parish would be devastated to see him forced to leave.

“He has acquired excellent English and is actively pursuing further education. I have no doubt of his will and capacity to undertake employment. In short, he is totally at home in his present environment and is in no sense someone who is or is likely to be exploiting public resources.

“He is an asset to the community in which he lives and would, I believe, be traumatised and disadvantaged by a forcible return to Kosovo. I would appeal most strongly for his case to be given favourable consideration.”

Despite Williams’s plea, the Immigration Appellate Authority’s adjudicator upheld the Home Office’s decision to deny Pone asylum a fortnight ago. The adjudicator claimed that Kosovo was now a safe place and that Pone was well equipped to return there.

Williams, who is on holiday, is believed to have been informed of the decision. As well as providing a reference for Pone, Gregg, 31, said Williams had regularly written to her to keep abreast of the case. This week, lawyers acting for Pone will apply for permission to appeal against the adjudicator’s ruling.

“My life would change completely if I had to go back,” said Pone. “Having the love and support of Steve and Julia is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

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