MSP's plea for asylum raid family

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | MSP's plea for asylum raid family

An MSP has written to the home secretary about the case of a mother and her son who were removed from their home in Glasgow in a dawn raid.

The SNP's Christina McKelvie has asked Jacqui Smith to reconsider the decision to deport Fatou Gaye, 38, and four-year-old Arouna to the Ivory Coast.

It is understood they are due to be flown out of the UK on Thursday.

Ms Gaye had an application for asylum rejected in 2005 and has since had five appeals refused.

Arouna Gaye was born in the UK and has been treated for medical problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder which his mother claims was caused by previous interaction with the UK Border Agency.

Ms Gaye and her son were taken to the controversial Dungavel detention centre in Lanarkshire after immigration officials removed them from their home in Sighthill, Glasgow, on 14 May.

The dawn raid prompted anger among campaigners and politicians as it came days after details were announced of a scheme aimed at ending the detention of young children at Dungavel and improving the treatment of asylum seekers.

In her letter to Jacqui Smith, Ms McKelvie, a Central Scotland MSP, said: "Her Majesty's Government agreed in September of last year to abide by all of the terms of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"It can be easily argued that sending this child to Cote d'Ivoire would be a breach of his human rights, but it is indisputable that sending this child to a country he has never been in while he is suffering the after-effects of his encounters with UK agencies is an absolute breach of his human rights - an inhumane act.

She added: "I ask you to withdraw the removal papers that have been served on this family, allow the young child access to the medical treatment he needs and allow the legal procedure to run its full course.

"You have the opportunity to show compassion and common human decency now, and I hope you will take it."

The UK Border Agency said it did not comment on individual cases.

The Gaye family's case was raised in the House of Commons last week.

Immigration minister Phil Woolas said: "It is regrettable that on some occasions, people who have not co-operated with the decision of the independent tribunals and courts who otherwise would abscond in their view, do face detention."