The American authorities have blocked the request of UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s girlfriend, Carrie Symonds’, application for a visa to go to America in the next few days as part of her job with a US-based environmental group,
It is believed the decision stems from a five-day visit made last year by Miss Symonds to East Africa, a region riven by civil war.
The Prime Minister’s girlfriend went with her friend Nimco Ali, a campaigner against female genital mutilation, who was born in Somaliland.
During their trip, they met the self-declared Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss women’s issues and sea pollution.
The UK is among a handful of nations who have diplomatic relations with Somaliland, which broke away from neighbouring Somalia in 1991.
But crucially, the US – which backs Somalia – does not.
