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Asylum pair released from custody | Asylum pair released from custody |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman and her 10-year-old daughter have been released from custody as they continue their fight against deportation. | A woman and her 10-year-old daughter have been released from custody as they continue their fight against deportation. |
Florence Mhango and daughter Precious, originally from Malawi, have been released from Yarl's Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire. | Florence Mhango and daughter Precious, originally from Malawi, have been released from Yarl's Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire. |
They are now returning to their home in Glasgow while they await the outcome of a judicial review. | They are now returning to their home in Glasgow while they await the outcome of a judicial review. |
The family's case was taken up by First Minister Alex Salmond last month. | The family's case was taken up by First Minister Alex Salmond last month. |
The pair had previously been locked up in Dungavel detention centre in Lanarkshire. | The pair had previously been locked up in Dungavel detention centre in Lanarkshire. |
It is a source of utter shame that the UK government sees fit to lock up innocent children and babies like criminals in what are effectively prisons for months on end Robina Qureshi | It is a source of utter shame that the UK government sees fit to lock up innocent children and babies like criminals in what are effectively prisons for months on end Robina Qureshi |
Nationalist Glasgow MSP Anne McLaughlin, who has campaigned for the family's release, said: "I am overjoyed to hear from Florence that her and Precious have been released and are on their way back to Glasgow. | Nationalist Glasgow MSP Anne McLaughlin, who has campaigned for the family's release, said: "I am overjoyed to hear from Florence that her and Precious have been released and are on their way back to Glasgow. |
"I am still waiting to hear how and why they have been released and hope that their case will be dealt with more favourably now. | "I am still waiting to hear how and why they have been released and hope that their case will be dealt with more favourably now. |
"This release is testament to the united campaign, led by their friends and neighbours in Cranhill, which put forward a positive and repeated message for Florence and Precious to be released." | "This release is testament to the united campaign, led by their friends and neighbours in Cranhill, which put forward a positive and repeated message for Florence and Precious to be released." |
Last month, the first minister told MSPs that pressure was mounting on UK immigration chiefs to allow the pair to stay in the UK after lobbying from the Scottish government. | Last month, the first minister told MSPs that pressure was mounting on UK immigration chiefs to allow the pair to stay in the UK after lobbying from the Scottish government. |
'Enforce decisions' | |
Robina Qureshi, director of the Scottish charity Positive Action in Housing, said: "Precious Mhango committed no crime against this country. | Robina Qureshi, director of the Scottish charity Positive Action in Housing, said: "Precious Mhango committed no crime against this country. |
"The fact that her mother's asylum claim has been outstanding for seven years is absolutely nothing to do with her. | "The fact that her mother's asylum claim has been outstanding for seven years is absolutely nothing to do with her. |
"It is therefore a source of utter shame that the UK government sees fit to lock up innocent children and babies like criminals in what are effectively prisons for months on end." | "It is therefore a source of utter shame that the UK government sees fit to lock up innocent children and babies like criminals in what are effectively prisons for months on end." |
Phil Taylor, director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: "I can confirm that this failed asylum family has been released while their application for judicial review is considered by the courts. | |
"We would much rather that a family, whom our courts have found do not qualify for asylum or for humanitarian protection, leave the UK voluntarily. | |
"Where they refuse to do so, despite being given every opportunity, it is our responsibility to enforce the decisions of the courts and send them home. | |
"The decision to detain a family before removal only happens as a last resort, because the parents refuse to take the opportunity to go home under their own steam with assistance from the Home Office and the International Organisation for Migration." |
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