Brain family make plea to MPs to remain in Dingwall

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire also expected to give evidence to MPs following the long-running case

Published 12th Jul 2016

An Australian family fighting deportation from the UK are to give evidence to a committee of MPs.

Kathryn and Gregg Brain, who have been living in Dingwall since 2011 with their seven-year-old son Lachlan, will appeal to Members of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

The family's campaign to remain in the country follows the withdrawal of Kathryn's post-study work visa.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire is also expected to give evidence to MPs.

Mandie Campbell, director-general of the Immigration Enforcement Directorate, and Mike Wells, UK Visas and Immigration chief operation officer, are also on the list of witnesses.

A day before they were due to be deported on the 31st of May, Mr Brokenshire gave the Brain family leave to remain in the country until August, but they are not allowed to work.

Mr Brain and his son came to Scotland as dependants of Mrs Brain, who was on a student visa at a time when a two-year post-study visa was in existence - but it was later abolished.

They hoped a job offer made to Mrs Brain by GlenWyvis distillery in Dingwall would meet visa requirements and allow them to stay.

The family gave evidence on their experience of the immigration system to the Scottish Affairs Committee on last week.

After the meeting, Mr Brain called on Justice Secretary Michael Gove to allow his family to stay in the UK, as he had sympathised with their case before the EU referendum.