Anne McLaughlin MSP is today fighting hard to stop the imminent deportation tonight of Florence Mhango and her 10 year old daughter Precious.

Currently being held at Yarls Wood detention centre, the mother and daughter are scheduled to be flown to Malawi at 19:00 this evening.

After speaking to Florence and Precious today, Ms Mclaughlin had this to say: "I spoke to Florence and Precious just this morning and can hear the fear in their voices. Precious in particular was sounding very vulnerable and frightened at what may lie ahead of her.

"I assured them that I and hundreds of others including their MP John Mason and Michael Russell MSP, Minister for External Affairs, are doing everything possible to stop the deportation and have them returned to their community in Cranhill, Glasgow.

"However in the early hours of this morning we received some good news. Paul Chen QC has agreed to take on the case and will be in court today asking for a judicial review. If he wins however, the Home Office are still under no obligation to delay or stop the deportation. That is why I am urging everyone to contact the responsible UK Government Minister Phil Woolas MP and urge him to use his discretion and stop the deportation on humanitarian grounds.

"You can join many others including some very prominent Scots by emailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Florence Mhango has asked that anyone who emails, does so respectfully."

Notes:

1. Precious' story about her previous detention at Yarls Wood, 'Detention Day,' can be read at the blog of Anne McLaughlin MSP.

2. Additional background information is available at this BBC link.