SNP MSP for Glasgow Anne McLaughlin who has campaigned extensively in support of Glasgow based Florence and Precious Mhango today expressed her deep disappointment after a High Court judge ruled that they should be deported from Scotland.

The decision means Florence and Precious are again facing the prospect of detention and deportation. 

Their case came to light after they were detained at Dungavel last autumn and the community in Cranhill, Glasgow spearheaded efforts to have them released.  Precious attends school in Glasgow, does not know the family she would be deported to and speaks only English.

Ms McLaughlin said: "This is obviously not the result we wanted for Florence and Precious and they are understandably devastated. However, we believe there are grounds for an appeal and the legal team will tonight be studying the full judgement to work up those grounds. They must be submitted to the court within 7 days and they will be.

"I will be lobbying the new British Government hard as will all of their supporters because the last Home Secretary might not have seen fit to reply but perhaps Theresa May, as a supporter of women's rights, will have a different approach.

"Precious is a very frightened little girl right now and I think the sooner we can resolve this satisfactorily for her the better. That means allowing her to stay at her home in Cranhill where she belongs."

Notes:

More information on the campaign for Florence and Precious Mhango can be found here.

Details of Florence and Precious are below along with coverage of their case:

Florence and Precious Mhango are a mother and her ten year old daughter, originally from Malawi, who live in Cranhill in the East End of Glasgow, Scotland. They have been in the United Kingdom for over seven years, and originally came here with Precious' father, who was studying in London. Unfortunately, he proved to be abusive to his wife and with the help of Women's Aid, Florence and Precious fled to Glasgow.

They are deeply integrated in the Cranhill community, often helping their neighbours and other asylum seekers. Precious is an active member of St Maria Goretti church and regularly volunteers to sit and keep local pensioners company. The Cranhill community, people from across the UK and many  public figures in Scotland have spoken out in support.

Coverage of their detention at Dungavel and subsequent case can be found at :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8420090.stm

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/judicial-review-to-be-held-into-planned-deportation-of-precious-mhango-and-mother-florence-1.1005780

http://news.scotsman.com/immigrationandrefugees/Asylum-girl-Precious-Mhango-and.5922677.jp