HARARE - Former X Factor hopeful Gamu Nhengu, originally from Zimbabwe, and her family have won their appeal against deportation, her lawyer has said. Gamu, 19, currently lives with her two brothers and mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire. The family were afraid they would be sent back to Zimbabwe after a court ruling.
Earlier this year, the teenager’s family were refused leave to stay in the UK by the Home Office after a decision passed at the immigration court in Glasgow.
But on Wednesday, the lawyer acting for the Nhengu family welcomed the first great news they’ve had for months and was able to report that their appeal had been successful.
The Home Office now has five days to appeal against the decision, which was granted in accordance with the family’s right to a private and family life, as set out in the European convention on human rights.
We are delighted to announce that the court has allowed Gamu’s, her brothers’ and her mother’s appeal. If the Home Office accepts the decision of the court, then my clients will be granted leave to remain in the UK, Frances Farrell, the familys lawyer said in a statement.
The Home Office have a five-working-day limit to appeal, and we hope they do not exercise that right. My clients are all delighted with the decision; it’s the first great news they’ve had for months, Farrell added.
Gamu hit the headlines on last year’s X Factor competition, when she was controversially kicked off the show by judge Cheryl Cole.
The move to deport her family came in February after allegations that her mother, a nurse, had wrongly claimed working tax credits. The family has always contested the allegation, which was successfully appealed against at a private hearing.
Gordon Banks, the MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, where Gamu is a constituent, said he was delighted to hear the news.
This is really good news, not only for the family but also for the local community, in which the family played such a vital role. It’s particularly pleasing to see that common sense has prevailed and that we have the ability in the UK to take decisions which are morally right. I hope the Home Office don’t exercise their right to appeal [against] this decision and that the family will be allowed to get on with their lives and continue to contribute to society, Banks stated.
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