Hunger strike for asylum mother

A mother of six children who is facing deportation to Nigeria is to stage a six-day hunger strike in protest at the decision to send her back.

The mother, known as Helen, came to the UK in 2003 and moved to Plymouth a year later when her husband returned home.

The family is at the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre near Bedford after two unsuccessful appeals.

The Home Office said the family had no lawful basis for staying and it was necessary to enforce their departure.

The family's surname is being withheld for fear of repercussions in Nigeria.

Helen said: "It is a hunger strike, I will keep it up for another six days.

"It's my own personal protest. I am so tired. I do not understand why they are keeping us here.

"I hope and pray I can stay in Plymouth."

The family claimed asylum in 2003, fearing "abuse, cruel treatments and death threats" if they stayed in Africa.

One of Helen's sons, Emmanuel, 14, suffers from sickle cell anaemia and the family fear for his health if they are forced to return to Nigeria where they cannot afford medication.

Students at the Stoke Damerel College in Plymouth, where four of the children studied, collected more than 200 signed letters from supporters, and sent them to the Home Office and MPs.

Helen has worked voluntarily for the Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support Council and as a researcher for the University of Lancashire.

She is also a governor at St Peter's Church of England School in Plymouth.

The Home Office said in a statement: "We only remove people whose asylum claims have been dismissed by an independent judge.

"We always ask illegal immigrants leave the UK voluntarily, however if they do not it becomes necessary to enforce their departure and this can include a stay in detention.

"Families with children are detained only where this is absolutely necessary for as short a period as possible."