By Richard Hartley-Parkinson

Mo Farah has responded to Donald Trump’s immigration ban that could leave him separated from his wife and four children.

He said that it is ‘deeply troubling’ that he will have to have a conversation with his children saying he may not be able to come home to them.

In a statement issued in response to Donald Trump’s travel ban, Sir Mo Farah said: ‘On 1st January this year, Her Majesty The Queen made me a Knight of the Realm. On 27th January, President Donald Trump seems to have made me an alien.

‘I am a British citizen who has lived in America for the past six years – working hard, contributing to society, paying my taxes and bringing up our four children in the place they now call home.

‘Now, me and many others like me are being told that we may not be welcome.

‘It’s deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that Daddy might not be able to come home – to explain why the President has introduced a policy that comes from a place of ignorance and prejudice.

I was welcomed into Britain from Somalia at eight years old and given the chance to succeed and realise my dreams.

‘I have been proud to represent my country, win medals for the British people and receive the greatest honour of a knighthood. My story is an example of what can happen when you follow polices of compassion and understanding, not hate and isolation.’

Sir Mo trains in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife Tania and their four children.

He moved to the UK from Somalia – one of the proscribed countries – when he was eight, becoming a British citizen. A British passport holder, he does not have dual nationality or hold a Somalian passport.

Sir Mo is currently training in Ethiopia and his team are unsure how and if he will be affected by the travel ban.

A representative said: ‘We are seeking to clarify the situation with the US authorities. Mo is currently at a training camp and is not planned to return to the US for a number of weeks.

‘However, as I’m sure you can appreciate, he and Tania want to understand the direct impact on them (if any) as a matter of urgency.’

Mrs May was pressed repeatedly about her views on the refugee ban during a press conference in Ankara where she had been holding talks with Turkish leaders.

After initially dodging questions, the Prime Minister then insisted it was up to America to devise its own policy.

She told reporters: ‘The United States is responsible for the United States’ policy on refugees.

‘The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom’s policy on refugees and our policy on refugees is to have a number of voluntary schemes to bring Syrian refugees into the country, particularly those who are most vulnerable, but also to provide significant financial contributions to support refugees in countries surrounding Syria.’

But her decision to keep quiet about the actions of Trump, who she met for talks in Washington on Friday, was roundly criticised.

Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, who is of Iraqi origin but a British citizen, said a US immigration lawyer had confirmed that he would be affected by the ban.

‘A sad sad day to feel like a second-class citizen,’ he said. ‘Sad day for the USA.

‘Had confirmation that the order does apply to myself and my wife as we were both born in Iraq. Even if we are not dual Nat.

‘I’m a British citizen and so proud to have been welcomed to this country. Sad to hear ill be banned from the USA based on my country of birth.’

Source: Metro