Soldier wife wins deportation row

The wife of a Northumberland soldier threatened with deportation has won the right to stay with her family.

L/Cpl Andrew Crozier, 23, from Prudhoe, married his Canadian wife Samantha, 23, while serving in Canada in 2004.

But when the couple recently moved to barracks in Hampshire, her application for full citizenship was rejected and she was told to leave Britain by April.

The mother-of-two travelled to Spain this week which allowed her to obtain a new temporary visa.

On Wednesday she was informed by the Home Office that her application was successful and that she will be able to re-apply for British Citizenship in due course.

Mrs Crozier, of Bordon, Hampshire, said: "I am overwhelmed and over the moon.

"My family are returning home tomorrow but I will continue to campaign on this issue."

Entry clearance

The couple moved to Germany soon after they got married where L/Cpl Crozier was posted with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

They have two children, Ethan, two, and one-year-old Caleb, who both have full British passports.

When the family learned they were to be moved to the UK six months ago, Mrs Crozier was granted a temporary visa but her application for full citizenship was rejected.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The Government is determined to protect the UK's immigration system and marriage laws from abuse, and in order for an applicant to be settled as a spouse they must hold a valid UK entry clearance for entry in the correct capacity."