An immigration probe has been launched after four Ugandan boxers went missing after competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The sporting news website NBS Sport said that members of the team did not rejoin the delegation before their scheduled return on Tuesday.

The athletes, Angel Katushabe, Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Khemis and Emily Nakalema, were part of a six-member boxing team at the games.

Speaking anonymously to NBS Sport, one of the athletes admitted that they intended to seek asylum in the UK.

The boxer said they wanted to continue their careers in a country with better training facilities and opportunities.

They asked not to be judged by the Ugandan public for the decision.    

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for.

‘Inquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office.’

Speaking to the Press Association on Monday, Commonwealth Games chief executive Phil Batty said: ‘We’ve welcomed nearly 3,000 athletes to the city from 74 nations.

‘We want to deliver a safe and secure games, so we work really closely with Police Scotland, the Border Force, and UK visas and immigration to make sure everyone arrives and departs in line with regulation.’

The Press Association understands that the Home Office will take action accordingly if it is made aware of any breaches of immigration law, and that it takes all necessary steps to prevent people who could abuse the immigration system from entering the UK.