AN 11-year-old refugee, who fled from Kabul last month, was welcomed to the borough by Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq.

She was introduced to Arash Mehran at a meeting with the Society of Afghan Residents in the UK, which has been based at West Acton Community Centre since 1982.

It is the oldest society of its kind in the country, founded in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.

Arash and his mother were evacuated on a UK military aircraft, firstly to Dubai before finally arriving in Acton to be with his father, who worked for the British Army.  

The youngster said he’d taught himself English on the internet and was happy to be back with his father.

Arash appeared alongside Rupa Huq on ITV London News, where he voiced concerns for friends left behind. 

The MP said: “It was an honour to meet Arash and the volunteers at the society, who have been working tirelessly to support Afghans of all religions and none.

“He was such an impressive young man with a wise head on young shoulders. 

“My staff have been working around the clock to support the Afghan diaspora community in Ealing, Acton and Chiswick, fielding calls and emails.

“We have processed the details of well over a thousand individuals, many of whom are still stuck in Afghanistan, sometimes going house to house in hiding from the Taliban.”