AN ASYLUM seeker set himself on fire today in a protest after an immigration hearing in Glasgow.

The man - believed to be from Nepal - poured petrol on his body and set fire to it. Shocked staff at the immigration court in Bothwell Street tried to douse the flames and called the emergency services.

Paramedics rushed the victim to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after fire crews were called to the court.

Hospital staff said the man was in a serious but stable condition, suffering severe burns to his body.

The incident happened at 10.30am within the court in the Eagle Building.

It's thought a protest involving Congolese asylum seekers was taking place outside the building at the time, but the incident was unconnected.

One protester, who was outside, said: "An ambulance arrived at the entrance where they usually take people who come up from Dungavel detention centre and police were running about everywhere.

"It was obvious that something serious had happened but the police would only tell us there was a minor incident within the building.

"The ambulance left after around 30 minutes with a police escort.

"It's horrifying that someone would feel so desperate they would do something like this."

A police spokeswoman said: "The man is in a serious condition and has burns to his body.

"We were called to the incident and attended, along with the ambulance service and fire and rescue."

The Congolese protest took place ahead of a key court case which is widely expected to rule that it is unsafe for asylum seekers to return to the country.

Last week, around 40 people, including 19 children, were sent back to the African region despite widespread protests by MPs and human rights campaigners.