Mo Farah

[cromwell]

I've never liked Farah but you can't really blame him.
Yes, he was an illegal immigrant and concealed the fact. Even though he was an infant when he was trafficked and not responsible for his illegal act.

But I have to say that in his shoes I would have done the same.
If the choice was
1. Own up and get sent home to the hell hole that is Somalia or
2. Keep my trap shut and stay here.

It would have been number 2, all day long.

[Ally]

Well said WM xx

Agreed.

[Workingman]

He didn't keep his trap shut.

At age 12, when he found someone who would listen to him, he opened up and applied for UK citizenship, and his application was approved.

Unfortunately he was advised, misadvised, to apply under his assumed name, Mohammad Farah. Remember, he was 12 with barely any formal education so he really did have to rely on others to oversee his application.

He could not be sent "home" to Somali as it has never been his home. His real home is Somaliland, a region fighting for independence from Somalia but not recognised internationally. In effect he was stateless at the time of his application through no fault of his own. He didn't act illegally, those who trafficked him did.

[Kaz]

I think on that note - and Frank you have put it perfectly - I will do something I almost never do, and lock this thread, as it has all been said.