MSP complaint over detention of Malawian pair

An MSP from Glasgow has complained to the UK Immigration Minister over the forced detention of a Malawian mother and daughter at the Dungavel detention centre in Lanarkshire.

Following a rotine immigration investigation mother Florence and daughter Precious Mhango were transported to the controversial Scottish detention centre. The pair had been residing in Britain for the past six years and is set to be deported to Malawi next Monday. However, MSP Anne McLaughlin has expressed concerns that Precious may be subjected to violence if she is returned home and has written to Immigration Minister Phil Woolas with an impassioned plea to release the pair on humanitarian grounds.

The SNP member has argued that the pair will likely be separated upon their return home to Africa, with the daughter more than likely being placed in the care of her father where she will be at risk of potential female genital mutilation. McLaughlin lambasted the decision, pointing out that Precious knows no other culture than that she has learned in Scotland and England. Precious has been entirely educated in the UK and is an active part of the local community. McLaughlin claims her letter to Woolas was not just about the wrongful detention but of placing a deported child in harm’s way on her return. Woolas has said that the detention of a family prior to deportation was a last resort.

The pair had earlier been placed in detention following their failed asylum bid where Precious wrote a tearful account of her experience.

The UKBA acknowledged the pair’s situation but added that they would have preferred if the mother and daughter has returned home voluntarily rather than be forced into detention.