Reprieve for deportation families

Hazel Minn has received strong support from islanders

The Home Office has confirmed it is to review the cases of two families facing deportation from Shetland.

Hazel Minn and Tanya Koolmatrie and their children have been fighting to stay in the islands.

More than 3,000 islanders have signed a petition urging the home secretary to overturn the decisions to return the women to Burma and Australia.

The families heard news of the review from their MP, Alistair Carmichael, who has been lobbying the Home Office.

The MP for Orkney and Shetland was notified by Minister for Immigration Des Browne that the Home Office will review the deportation cases.

When Hazel heard the news she was jumping up and down, she was so happy Bert Armstrong Grandfather of Ms Minn's two adopted sons 'Please let us stay in our home'

The minister has asked for additional information to be provided in what Mr Carmichael describes as "positive" letters.

He said: "The letters I received today from the Home Office are more positive in their tone than previous correspondence has been.

"In both the cases of Tanya Koolmatrie and Hazel Minn the minister for immigration has undertaken to carry out a review of the decisions, provided we come forward with some additional information.

"I am confident that we will be able to meet this request and hopeful that these cases will now be given the proper consideration which I feel has so far been denied them."

Bert Armstrong, the grandfather of Ms Minn's two adopted sons, told BBC News Online Scotland that the move was fantastic news.

'Positive tone'

Mr Armstrong said: "It really is unbelievable - this is all we ever wanted.

"We just wanted the Home Office to review the case and thank God it has done so."

He added: "When Hazel heard the news she was jumping up and down, she was so happy."

Mr Carmichael said the minister made reference to the nature and volume of support that has been apparent in Shetland for these two families.

He said he had no doubt that these efforts helped to achieve the more positive tone from the Home Office.