A 21-year-old who fled Iran as a teenager - and who ended up living in Carlisle's Hilltop Hotel - has been reunited with his father after almost a year. 

Daniel* and his father were forced to flee their home country illegally for both their safety, but also for the future safety of his sisters and mother after they both converted to Christianity in 2017. 

After travelling across Europe over the course of years, Daniel and his father were split up upon arriving in the UK after crossing the English channel. His father was sent to a hotel in London, whilst Daniel was transported to Carlisle. 

Read Daniel's story here:  'It was too much for a teenager' - Hilltop hotel refugee's harrowing story

After eleven months, they have since been reunited.

However, it's unclear how long the reunion will last in the wake of a new announcement that the home secretary is expected to be given the ability to ignore attempts by European judges to halt migrant deportations from the UK.

In response to the changes that will be made to the Illegal Migration Bill, Daniel said: "Ignoring people's talks and thoughts is like going back to the slavery that was in the world, refugees are not their toys, their lives matter and it's valuable for them. 

"If we're talking about human rights and human beings in 2023, we should listen to everyone. 

"Criminals should be punished but refugees aren't criminals. They were just born in a random country that was not safe for them. 

"They were in danger and now they trust you, the UK Government, to take refuge in your land. 

"I suggest you sit down with some of them and listen to their life story instead of ignoring them. 

"Although we only live once, they decided to live freely not in danger, and be forced to believe in what they don't.

"Don't make them feel like an invaluable person, they're your people now," he said. 

*Not their real name