Brazilian act stranded in London

The most popular act at Edinburgh’s The World Festival was delayed in London by suspicious immigration officials.

Capoeira Knights arrived at Heathrow from Brazil at 1000 BST on Tuesday, but the delay meant they missed a connecting flight.

The 11 members were kept by officials until 1730 BST before festival producers were able to convince staff they were performing in the capital.

Six were due to fly at 2100 BST and the other five will wait until Wednesday.

John Simpson, The World Festival producer, told the BBC Scotland news website he was relieved the act would now be in Edinburgh in time for their first performance on 6 August.

“I have been very nervous all day that they were not going to be allowed through immigration and that we would not have our most popular act. They have already sold out five of the nights during the festival.

“I am very frustrated that we now have to take all their kit through excess baggage on Wednesday and that we have had to buy new flights and hotel rooms.

“I have spent all day faxing immigration with information to prove they were here last year along with other details and then there was a shift change which meant we were back at square one in the afternoon.”