Commenting on a decision by the High Court that the UK Government's fast deportation procedures are illegal as they prevent access to justice the SNP welcomed the Court's decision as giving the UKBA an opportunity to put its house in order.

The decision relates to the use of policies designed for the deportation of people at risk of suicide or unaccompanied minors.

Glasgow SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin who has supported the high profile legal campaign to ensure two asylum seekers - Florence Mhango and her daughter Precious who fled a violent husband and father - can remain in the UK called for UKBA to change the way it works and to ensure it is always within the law.

Ms McLaughlin said: "From working with Florence and Precious I know how important it is that those who feel they are being wrongly deported are able to access not just lawyers but friends.

"Asylum seekers were afraid to tell anyone they were feeling suicidal because of this policy so at least now these desperate people can ask for help without fear they will be denied access to justice and immediately deported because of it".

"If UKBA were making the right decisions and dealing with people properly there would be no need for this process.  There will be many times when the immigration system may be right to deport people, but UKBA should never be afraid of letting those decisions be challenged.

"It is not just this fast track detention that causes a problem, but the practice of arresting asylum seekers when they sign on each week means many young children are taken for deportation still wearing their school uniform.  They are given no warning they are being removed.

"It seems ridiculous that it is those vulnerable people that society should be helping that are at most risk of being instantly deported without recourse to the law.

"We must have an asylum and immigration system that works but we must also have one that is humane."

SNP Home Affairs spokesperson at Westminster, Pete Wishart MP, called for a Home Office statement on the ruling.

"This ruling will clearly have an immediate impact on deportation practices, but it also raises questions about deportations which have already taken place unlawfully or are pending.

"Policy on detentions and deportations has been an utter disaster, and the UK Border Agency must get its house in order. This ruling should be the starting point for reform. The Home Secretary should make a statement to parliament and say that the government will learn the lessons, and use this as an opportunity to get deportation policies right once and for all."