Ukrainian tour guide denied visa to go to shul

A Ukrainian tour guide has been refused a visa to visit a London synagogue, prompting a complaint to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Anna Grudinovker was told she could not enter the country after being invited by Hackney and East London synagogue to attend a special Shabbat event and give a talk on the Jewish community in her native Odessa.

Hackney congregant Michael Desmond wrote to Mr Cameron expressing his "shock" and asking for her application for a 10-day visa to be reconsidered.

Mr Desmond said: "It is quite wrong to stop people travelling to Jewish community events. They form part of the freedom of religious practice for an international community like the Jewish community. It is totally unreasonable."

Immigration officials had denied the visa after questioning Ms Grudinovker's financial circumstances and those of synagogue members, even though the congregation said they would cover her travel costs and provide accommodation during her visit.

Ms Grudinovker, 34, who also teaches English, received the refusal letter one day before she was due to leave for the UK, having already purchased her flight tickets.

She said: "I was really shocked. It was for no reason whatsoever, it's not like I'm a criminal. I found it very offensive, very diminishing."

A spokesperson from UK Visas & Immigration said there was no right of appeal or review against visa rejections.

However, Ms Grudinovker could make "a fresh application for entry clearance at any time".