Deported mother: I’ve been treated as a terrorist

A WOMAN deported despite living in Britain for nearly 30 years has hit out at the UK Government, saying she has been treated like a terrorist and accused of being violent.

Irene Clennell, 53, who is the main carer for her British husband John, was placed in the Dungavel immigration detention centre, South Lanarkshire, before being deported to Singapore on Sunday.

Mrs Clennell, who lived in County Durham and has two sons and a granddaughter, had just £12 in her pocket and no change of clothes when she was removed.

She says the Home Office told her someone would meet her in Singapore but that this did not happen and that a box had been ticked on a form handed to her saying she had been violent and disruptive.

“It is a bloody disgrace, they treat me like a terrorist. They embarrass me in front of everybody, the only thing I did wrong was marry a British man and want to stay in the country with my kids and my husband,” she said.

“I have never done wrong to anybody, all I want is my family and this is what I get.”

Mrs Clennell arrived in the UK in 1988, but spent periods of time back in Singapore to care for her parents before they died. It is thought she has lost her leave to remain as a result of the Government’s spousal visa system, which requires the British partner to prove earnings of at least £18,600 and the couple being able to demonstrate long stretches of uninterrupted time living in the UK.

A Home Office spokesman said: “All applications for leave to remain are considered on individual merits and in line with the immigration rules. We expect those with no legal right to remain in the country to leave.”