Strathclyde University student facing deportation for "human error" is in fear of his life

Students and politicians have joined a campaign calling for the UK Government to halt Lord's deportation and will today stage demonstrations outside the Scotland Office and Home Office.

Strathclyde University masters student Lord - who has a three-year-old son living in Glasgow - was detained on Friday March 11 after reporting to the Border and Immigration Agency in Brand Street, Glasgow.

He is required to do so every month as part of his asylum agreement.

But this time he was taken into custody after it emerged that a fresh application for Leave to Remain had not been submitted on time.

The National Union of Students (NUS) say this was "human error" for which Lord was not to blame.

Since being detained Lord has been transferred to Dungavel, to a centre in Lincolnshire then Oxford and he was yesterday being moved to a unit in Gatwick.

His friends understand he will be forced onto a chartered plane at Stanstead Airport tomorrow night and flown to Ghana.

Raj Jeyaray, vice president of diversity at Strathclyde Student Association, has been in close contact with Lord.

He told the Evening Times: "Lord is in fear of his life.

"I know why he left Ghana but what happened to him is personal and I don't have permission to share this story.

"But I do know he had to leave and is scared about what will happen to him if he returns."

When he first arrived in the UK, Lord spent around two years in detention centres - from 2006 to 2008.

He was released and settled in England before moving to Glasgow in 2014.

Lord, understood to be in his late 40s, had been studying for a Master’s Degree in Counselling at the University of Strathclyde.

He was voted Student of the Year at the university for his work helping other students and at the weekend, while in detention, he was elected Asylum and Refugee Officer for NUS Scotland’s executive committee.

Raj said Lord was injured four days before being detained after section of ceiling fell on his head in a shop in Glasgow city centre.

He was treated at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for concussion and discharged the following day, on Tuesday March 8.

He added: "He is not in great shape because of this."

Glasgow SNP MP Alison Thewliss has backed he NUS campaign and has also stepped in to try to halt the deportation.

She said: "Strathclyde University welcomes students from all around the world; they are valued, they make a contribution.

"This UK government is completely out of line in attempting to remove Lord Apetsi, a student who has proven that he is part of our city through his involvement in the NUS.

"It is wrong that his life can be turned upside down, that he can be separated from his children, and taken for removal. I urge the Home Office to reverse their decision and return Lord immediately to his family and friends in Glasgow."

Vonnie Sandlan, president of NUS Scotland, said she was "deeply concerned for Lord’s wellbeing if he is forcibly deported".

She added: "This case has affected Lord immensely, as well as his young sons and the many others who are proud to call him a friend.

"Everyone who speaks about Lord does so of a warm, caring and intelligent man, who has given so much to his university and community.

"In return he has expected nothing except a safe place to study in and call home.

"He has done huge amounts during his time in Glasgow, always for others, and we should welcome him in, not force him out, recognising he has much more to give."

"NUS Scotland, his friends, and politicians have all come together in his defence.

"As a parent, on behalf of a parent, I hope the UK Government recognises that, halts Lord’s deportation, and provides him with the status and compassion he deserves, rather than the contempt and disregard he’s facing.”

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said they cannot comment on individual cases and added: "All asylum applications are carefully considered on their individual merits, in line with the UK immigration rules."