Flats plunge trio 'had asylum bid rejected'

A father, mother and her son who plunged to their deaths from a block of flats had their application for asylum from Canada rejected by UK authorities, it was claimed tonight.

Their three bodies were found at the bottom of a 31-storey block in Petershill Drive in the Springburn area of Glasgow on Sunday.

The three Russian nationals have yet to be named by police but it is understood they were Serguei Serykh, 43, his wife Tatiana and his stepson.

It is understood the family moved to Canada and was granted refugee status in 2005.

But allegations against the Canadian authorities were made after an application for Canadian citizenship was refused.

It is believed the family received a letter explaining that their accommodation in Glasgow was due to stop on Sunday.

Glasgow North East Labour MP Willie Bain said he believed he met the family last month regarding their bid for asylum from Canada and advised them to make a fresh application.

The MP said he had seen a Home Office document, since the family died, which included allegations the husband had made against the Canadian authorities.

He said: "They had told me that they had been rejected by the Home Office and they had been refused leave to appeal for the immigration appeal tribunal. My advice to them was to put in a fresh claim."

Mr Bain said there had been no warning signs during the meeting that the husband or the family intended to harm themselves.

Strathclyde Police confirmed today the three who died were Russian nationals who had been living at the flats since February 2.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "Following post-mortem examinations, we can now confirm that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths.

"Full reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

Earlier today around 30 protesters gathered outside the UK Border Agency office in Govan in Glasgow calling for greater compassion in the asylum system.

Former Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, who also took part in the demonstration, said he was in "complete shock" and "ashamed as a citizen of Glasgow" over the deaths.

Neighbour Faridh Pardak broke down in tears, saying the family "were only here for a better life".

"I saw them several times in our building," she said. "They were a very good family. Their life was very dangerous in their country.

"I only saw them in the lift. On Sunday I was in my flat. I saw that the police were there. I went down and I saw the three people."

Ms Pardak, a former teacher from Iran, added that she was so upset by the deaths she had been unable to eat.

"I want to know what happened to them," she said. "They were a good family. They came for a better life - not to die here."

Many of the flats, which are earmarked for demolition, are occupied by asylum seekers and refugees.

The building is owned by Glasgow Housing Association, which lets the majority of flats in it to the YMCA.

Glasgow-based charity Positive Action in Housing called for a public inquiry into the deaths of the family.

The charity said the family had an application to stay in the UK rejected.

It is understood Mr Bain will meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London tomorrow to discuss how the community is coping since the deaths.

In a statement tonight, a UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Any death of this kind is a tragedy, and our deepest sympathies are with their family and friends at this time.

"We had advised the family that we were making arrangements to return them to Canada - where they had been granted protection. However, no imminent action to remove them from the UK had been planned.

"No UK Border Agency officers were in the vicinity when these events took place.

"We will continue to work with Strathclyde Police while this incident is under investigation."

Tonight, more than 100 people gathered outside the block of flats where the family had lived and lit candles.

One asylum seeker, who gave his name as Mohammed and said he was from Pakistan, said: "We feel afraid from the Home Office. Everybody is afraid.

"Today all asylum seekers are here to pay tribute to the three people who died.

"Everybody is worried about their own situations as well.

"I have four children and I have been here for three-and-a-half years. I have made a number of applications for asylum and I'm waiting to hear.

"If I go back to Pakistan I will be killed," the 29-year-old added.

Around 100 candles were lit during the vigil.

Robina Qureshi, director of the Scotland-based charity Positive Action in Housing, said: "People are gathering here for a vigil and to remember that three people that died here. Basically they are showing solidarity that they are also scared and frightened by the threat of immigration removal vans coming to pick them up at any time.

"They know what it is like to feel scared. They are terrified."

Ms Qureshi said the charity wanted to know if there would be any more removals by the Home Office from the flats or in Glasgow.