The 68-year-old American is employed as a lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. His salary for the job falls short of the government's �31,000 requirement for foreign nationals - but once royalties for his musical work is factored in, he makes twice that figure.

An online petition supporting his position has gathered 3500 signatures, while more than 60 letters of support were written ahead of his appearance at an immigration hearing in London this week.