In the week that asylum seekers Florence and Precious Mhango have been served with removal directions from the Border Agency, Glasgow SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin has written to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, offering to fly to Malawi to get the evidence that proves the case for their asylum.

Commenting Ms McLaughlin said: "There is no doubt in my mind that it is NOT safe for Precious to go to Malawi and so I have decided, if there is no other way of proving that, I will get on a flight to Malawi and I will meet with everyone involved and get the evidence myself.

"I am very hopeful that Theresa May will want to know about Florence and Precious and that when she does she will feel duty bound to intervene.

“I've written to her imploring her to do that but I've also said if there is any doubt in her mind, I will have no hesitation in going to Malawi and bringing back the evidence.

"We have to keep this child safe and with her mother and if that's what it takes, I am willing to do it.

“Florence and Precious have such strong support from within their community in Glasgow, where they are very well integrated, and would be in grave danger of suffering violent recriminations if they are deported to Malawi. Therefore, I am urging the UK Government to intervene to allow them to stay in their home in Glasgow.

Note:

Ms McLaughlin's letter is as follows:

The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
Home Secretary
Home Office
Direct Communications Unit
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DP

6 July 2010

Dear Ms May

I am writing on behalf of my constituents Florence and Tionge (aka Precious) Mhango.

The mother and daughter have lived in the UK since Precious was 3 years old. She is now ten and at serious risk of being deported to Malawi. I would like you to consider intervening on their behalf for the following reasons:

First, Precious is very well loved in Scotland and very integrated in her local community. She acts as a helper to older people and some with disabilities, she helps in her local churches, she does extremely well at school. She is polite, diligent and caring and anyone who meets her takes to her instantly.

Secondly, the only reason they found themselves in this situation is because Precious’ father subjected her mother to sustained domestic violence. I understand he is still living and working in the UK. They should not have to suffer any more than they have because of his behaviour surely.

Thirdly, they cannot return to Malawi – it is too dangerous. When they fled from Precious’ father, his family visited Florence’s family in Malawi demanding that “the child” be returned either to her father or to them. They insist that if they return to Malawi, they will take Precious and she will not see her mother again.

If all else fails, I will go to Malawi myself and get the evidence to prove the danger they are in. I hope it will not come to it but I cannot allow two human beings who have done nothing wrong, a mother and child who have been victims of man’s violence and a society that does very little to protect them, to suffer in this way. I ask you to look very carefully at their case and I repeat, if you, as Home Secretary, do not believe they are in danger if returned to Malawi, I will get on a flight and I will get the evidence for you.

I know the last government was reluctant to help but I am hoping you will be different. I am not asking you to change any policies, simply to show some compassion to a mother and child who want to be here, who WE want to be here and who are terrified to return to their home country.

There are numerous examples of asylum seekers who have been through the system, been rejected by the courts but still been granted leave to remain. In certain circumstances, showing a little discretion and a lot of compassion is appropriate and I would urge you to consider that the circumstances of Florence and Tionge Mhango to be such.

Yours sincerely

Anne McLaughlin
MSP for City of Glasgow