Frail widow successful in deportation reprieve

A frail 92-year-old widow threatened with deportation from Britain has been granted a “stay of execution” following a massive public outcry.

Myrtle Cothill, who has heart problems, is losing her eyesight and cannot walk unaided, is looked after by her only daughter, Mary Wills, in Poole, Dorset.

She had been ordered to leave Britain and booked on to a flight back to her native South Africa on Tuesday, despite having no family to care for her there.

But the Home Office has cancelled a removal direction and given the family more t i me t o appeal against the decision.

Her daughter Mary Wills said: “We are delighted. It has been a long, hard road and it has been very tearful. My mother is o v e rwhelmed.”

The pensioner came to Britain in February 2014 on a six month visa, but her health has since deterioratedandshe is cared forby her daughter.

Mrs Wills lives with her husband David, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and heart problems.

She said she cannot travel to South Africa and look after her mother there because they have no right to live in the country, and her husband’s health would not allow it.

The case has attracted a huge amountof public support on social media, and than 75,000 people have signed a petition calling for the pensioner to be allowed to stay.

Former Conservative shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe said the deportation order was “brutal beyond belief” and she was “ashamed” a Conservative Government was imposing it.

In aU-Turn, Mrs Cothill’s family were told this afternoonthat, following amedical assessment, she did not have to board the flight next week. Mrs Wills added: “My mother is looking much better now, her mouth was quivering but nowshe is looking more re- laxed. We have had a huge amount of support, it has been brilliant. Our fingers are crossed that the Home Office will see the light and let her stay for good.”

It is understood the Home Office has postponed the deportation to give the family more time to prove their claims that Mrs Cothill's poor health means she is unfit to travel and care for herself in South Africa.