Wife’s joy as husband told he no longer faces deportation

The family of a Sunderlandborn woman will not be split up after the Home Office reversed its decision to deport her husband.

Alison Atkinson-Phillips and her husband Jeff were told earlier this month that he must return to Australia – or he will be deported.

Desperate to keep their family together, the couple, who have two children Tijaan, 19, and Mia, 13, launched an online petition which gained more than 2,700 signatures.

After a turbulent few weeks, Jeff, 42, has now been given a residency permit.

Alison Atkinson-Phillips said: “I am so grateful to everyone who helped raise the profile of our case.

“It has been a stressful time, but I am so pleased we can now all get back on with our lives.

“No one wants to be in a position where they have to choose between their career and their family.”

The family received Jeff ’s residency permit through the post but haven’t received any details on why the Home Office decision has been changed.

“We are obviously massively relieved and and happy and we’re really really grateful for all of the support that we have had,” added Alison, 42.

“I can only assume that it’s that support we have had that has led to the change in decision.”

She added: “I’m really happy that it’s changed for me, but I’d definitely like to see a change in legislation for other people going through the same thing.”

The family had been living in Newcastle after Sunderland-born mum Alison took up a research post at Newcastle University in January.