Row as Oxford rejects deaf student

Oxford University was at the centre of a growing political protest today after it rejected a 19-year-old student with six A grade A-levels who was born deaf.

Senior figures accused the university of discrimination for turning down Anastasia Fedotova, who only arrived in Britain five years ago.

She achieved top grades in maths, further maths, physics, chemistry, biology and general studies at Parrs Wood Technology College in Manchester but did not win a place at Brasenose College.

Lord Ashley, chairman of parliament's allparty disability group, said today: "Brasenose College has a case to answer because when you have a brilliant young lady of this kind refused admission, they have a duty to explain why they made this decision."