Lordorice to stay for ‘at least three years’

A Cameroon woman who was fighting deportation from the United Kingdom has been told she can stay for at least the next three years.

Lordorice Djountso had spent two months in a detention centre in England with her one-year-old daughter. However, she had recently returned to Belfast to await a fresh deportation hearing, which took place this morning.

A spokesperson for Home Secretary John Reid said he had “taken the decision to exercise his discretion and grant her three years discretionary leave in recognition of her particular circumstances.”

A campaign had been mounted to save Ms Djountso and her daughter Imelda, who was born in Belfast, from being deported to Cameroon.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness interceded on her behalf.

He said: “Lordorice and her 15-month-old baby Imelda have returned to their home in south Belfast after a nightmare detention in England.

“This is a good news story for Lordorice and Imelda and excellent news on Refugee Week also.”

Ms Djountso sought asylum after fleeing Cameroon in 2005 following the murder of two family members and her rape in a dispute with a local tribal chief.

(JM)