THE heartbroken uncle of a Bradford man on a life support machine after an attack by a group of men says he will continue to fight a decision to refuse his wife a visa to visit him.

Haq Nawaz Rasool, 38, of Toller Lane, Heaton, was attacked as he locked up his take-away business on December 13 last year and remains in a critical condition in hospital, where doctors have told relatives a recovery could take years.

But his wife of two years, Rizwana Siddique, who lives in Pakistan, has been refused an application for three months' access to the UK even though a relative has offered up to £40,000 surety, provided by Mr Rasool's uncle Mohammed Ramzan, that she would comply with the restrictions surrounding her access.

Her application for a visa was refused by Home Office officials, but Mr Rasool's family have also had two unsuccessful appeals but have vowed to carry on fighting.

Since the attack, Mr Rasool has remained in a critical condition at Leeds General Infirmary where doctors had to remove part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain.

But Mr Ramzan says his nephew has shown partial signs of recovery over the past four weeks and can open his eyes for 15 minutes at a time.

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He said: "We are not giving up the fight.

"It's heartbreaking.

"I can't really explain it. It's been absolutely terrible. His family are there at the hospital every day.

"It's an ongoing frustration. She is still waiting.

"It's just the waiting game with the Home Office. We have shown them all of the evidence.

"There has only been a bit of improvement. He has opened his eyes a bit over the last month.

"I call his wife every day and all she can do is weep and cry about it. She is heartbroken too. She just wants to come and visit him.

"They have only been married for two years.

"All she wants to do is come over and see her husband."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Immigration decisions are based on the strength of the application and the requirements of the rules.

"We do not routinely comment on individual cases but all visa applications are considered on their individual merits, including any compelling and compassionate circumstances, and in line with the immigration rules.

"The onus is on the individual to provide the necessary evidence to support their application.”

Three men have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault on Mr Rasool.

They are a 20-year-old, of Liversedge, a 21-year-old, of Mirfield, and 22-year-old, of Leeds.

A fourth man, Joshua Balmforth, 20, of Mortimer Street, Batley, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and has been bailed.

Anyone with information is urged to call Wakefield CID via 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.