THE family of a ten-year-old orphan are to meet Home Office officials to discuss his asylum application.

Giorgi Kakava, from Springburn, could be sent back to Georgia with his gran after the death of his mum, Sophie.

She died earlier this year before her asylum bid could be processed and he has been looked after by his gran who has been living in Scotland illegally.

Paul Sweeney, Labour MP for Glasgow North East has asked the Home Office to fast track the boy’s case on compassionate grounds.

Mr Sweeney said: “Giorgi is very much a local Glaswegian boy who has experienced terrible tragedy in his short life with the death of both his mother and father at a young age.

"It is unthinkable that he could now face deportation to Georgia, a country that is entirely foreign to him.

"His home is Glasgow and I will be doing everything to ensure that he is able to stay here with his friends and family. The government must show compassion to this child, the case is compelling.”

Local Minister Rev Brian Casey has led a campaign for Giorgi and his gran Ketino Baikhadze to be allowed to stay in Scotland.

Mr Sweeney added: "To minimise the worry about his future, I am pressing the Home Office to speed up consideration of the family's application and the family will now be meeting officials to make their case for asylum this week.

"I will continue to do everything in my power to protect Giorgi from any risk of deportation, he is one of our own."

A Home Office Spokeswoman said: "The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need our protection and every case is assessed on its individual merits."