A SOUTHEND mum can finally visit her family in Russia this Christmas after the Home Office approved an emergency visa.

Elena Holdsworth, 42, wanted to visit her native home town Novosibirsk in Russia for two weeks to bring her new born son, Brian, to meet her parents.

However she was told by the Home Office in October that they had declined to renew her passport because of “national security reasons”.

Elena’s husband, Antony, 44, said he and his family are relieved that the Home Office approved a visa.

He said: “They issued the visa on Monday and we received it yesterday. The visa will expire in seven years, the same as Elena’s Russian passport.

“Elena is delighted that we can now make the trip to Russia with baby Brian. But she is very disappointed at how the passport office and the Home Office have behaved, and treated a British citizen.

“They have still flatly refused to renew her British passport, they are still saying that it is for reasons of national security.”

Mr Holdsworth added: “In order for Elena to get the renewed passport she has to change her Russian passport into her married name, which is the difficult part that will involve her going to Russia for months.”

James Duddridge MP supported the family’s case and said in a statement: “I cannot comment on the case but can confirm I am involved in trying to sort out the problem and have made representations.”

The Home Office did not respond to requests for comment at the time of going to press.