UK Appoints Refugee As High Commissioner In Historic First

A diplomat who fled Iran as a child in 1987 has been appointed the UK's high commissioner to Fiji - the first refugee to achieve such a rank.

- Chris Osuh

Kanbar Hossein-Bor said that when he applied to work in the Foreign Office two decades ago, his mother had feared "he might not be British enough". He added: "In her mind this was a bastion of the establishment. She was a little worried of rejection."

He saw the role as an opportunity to strengthen the UK's "deep historic bond" with Fiji as it faces a "huge challenge around climate".

Speaking shortly before an audience with King Charles, Hossein-Bor, 44, said: "One thing I really want to convey through my own journey is that enormous sense of gratitude I have to the British people, who have taken a first-generation immigrant and welcomed them.