IMMIGRATION MINISTER URGED TO ACT ON MHANGO CASE

IMMIGRATION MINISTER URGED TO ACT ON MHANGO CASE

PRECIOUS DETAINED FOR 26 DAYS AS WOOLAS VISITS DUNGAVEL

UK immigration minister Phil Woolas has been urged to act on the case of
Florence and Precious Mhango as he visited the UK Government’s Dungavel
Detention Centre in Scotland and UKBA in Glasgow.

Florence Mhango and her 10 year old daughter Precious were first taken
into custody at Dungavel 26 days ago. The pair are currently being held
at Yarl’s Wood.

Mr Woolas is understood to be visiting Dungavel today and to be holding
talks on the alternatives to detention project – a Scottish Government
backed scheme that could have kept Florence and Precious out of Yarls
Wood.

Despite lodging an application for a Judicial Review 20 days ago resulting
in the deportation being halted, they continue to be held in the centre
while the UK Government objects.

Standard practice would be to allow them to return to Glasgow whilst
awaiting a date for the review.

SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin, who alongside residents of Cranhill where the
Mhango’s live has campaigned for their detention to end said:

“As the minister visits Dungavel he should think about the 10 year old
girl taken there nearly four weeks ago who is still in UK Government
detention.

“It is 10 days since I wrote to the Home Secretary Alan Johnson on this
case and weeks since Phil Woolas received my and many other people’s
appeal to give these two valuable members of Glasgow’s Cranhill community
a chance. Despite this and the efforts of their Advocate a 10 year old
girl is still in detention.

“For Precious Scotland is her home. She does not know Malawi and does not
know the family that would take her, if she is deported.

“Florence and her daughter Precious have acted within the law at all times
and are following the legal process to try and secure their release and
the right to stay in Scotland.

“If the Minister sees anything on this visit he should see that detention
centres are no place for children – no matter how well they are cared for
– and that Scotland supports children like Precious who grow up here and
who belong here.”