Woman's deportation put on hold

Samar claims she would be persecuted back in Iran

An Iranian woman who claimed she could be stoned to death if she returned to her home country has been granted a temporary reprieve from deportation.

Samar, 29, who does not want her full name published, had her application for asylum refused and was facing deportation on Friday.

She had claimed she would be persecuted in Iran for having become a Christian.

But late on Friday the deportation was put on hold after Bournemouth MP Tobias Ellwood appealed to the Home Office.

Part of the family

The Conservative MP for Bournemouth East took up her fight after a campaign by members of the Father's House Church.

Mr Ellwood said: "I'm very pleased with this result. It would be totally irresponsible for us to be returning Samar when there was a question that she might be tortured or put to death."

Campaigner Ruth Hill said: "She is so happy here. She is part of our family, with the church, and she is friendly with everybody."

The Home Office is now to consider fresh evidence concerning her case.