The Token Sob Story

A story about Nigerian 'model pupils' who will be deported back to their country of origin is supposed to cause a tear in the eye.

Don't get me wrong - I have some empathy, but the fact of the matter is that people do not have the inalienable right to settle in Britain because there life is better here than it would be abroad.

The law cannot distinguish between the bad and the good, there must be some objectivity. Whilst the bad should be expelled outright, we still don't have the room or resources for everyone considered 'good'.

A friend of mine who teaches at a local girls' grammar school was ostracised after refusing to donate to the appeal of an Afghan 6th former who faced deportation.

It was a remarkably similar case to this; he was a 'model pupil', he had settled, he didn't deserve it, etc etc etc.

The only thing he'd done wrong was violate British and international law in order to come here illegally and claim asylum, then be educated and live at our expense - where was her heart?

The fact of the matter is, if the Home Office wishes to be kinder to asylum seekers they should make up their minds far more quickly than they do. The system is buckling under the strain - people can't be given residency simply because their application took too long.

Here is the story:

A model schoolgirl and her family are being thrown out of Britain and forced to return to Nigeria four years after their policeman father was murdered there.

Star pupil Saskia Iloba, her brothers and her mother face the threat of persecution and arrest in their native land after the failure of a long campaign by MPs to stop the deportation.

Saskia, Toby and Emanuel were tipped for glowing futures after being hailed by their teachers as some of the best pupils they had ever seen.

Saskia and her family settled in Rochdale four years ago after the murder of their father. The family say that it was politically motivated and they face repercussions on their return.

Saskia, 17, is a former head girl at North Manchester High School. She was studying for her A-levels and had been hoping to train as a doctor.

Emanuel, 14, is an exceptional footballer and was being chased by several Premier League teams.

He was training with Bolton Wanderers and sportswear giant Puma had already signed a sponsorship deal with him.

Toby, 18, is also a good footballer and has had a trial with Stockport County. He had just finished his A-levels at Loreto College in Manchester and hoped to study economics at university.

But all three are being sent back to Nigeria with their mother Betty after the Home Office ruled the family had not given a good enough case to stay in Britain.

Dismissing a campaign backed by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen and Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer, immigration officials said the family had not proved they will be persecuted if they return, and had now exhausted their appeals.

North Manchester High head Marian Catterall described how a farewell speech by Saskia reduced pupils and staff to tears.

She said: 'In all my years of teaching, I have never come across a better ambassador for young people.

'After leaving on the prom, she made a speech and told all the girls that they were some of the luckiest people and they had received a wonderful education and should go out and lead good lives.

'Everyone had tears in their eyes. She made the best speech I had ever heard.

'It is astonishing that someone like this, who has so much to offer, is being forced out of the country.'

The churchgoing family were taken from their home in Falinge, Rochdale, two weeks ago to the Yarl's Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire.

Mrs Iloba said at the time she now feared for her children's safety.

'The people who murdered my husband had threatened us before. I thought we could get safety here,' she said.

'I am so worried for my children. They are going to give me serious problems when I go back to Nigeria.'

Family friend Diane Newton said: 'There are people with criminal convictions who get permission to stay but a nice family like this are being sent back.

'These are the sort of people we want in Britain. Whatever the Home Office say, I believe every word they told me. They wouldn't take any charity and are genuinely terrified about going back.'

A Home Office spokesman said: 'It is our responsibility to enforce the decisions of the courts and send them home.'

Yes, criminals are allowed to stay and that is wrong - but the answer is not that everyone but criminals can stay.

As I said, I have some empathy with the plight of these people - but why is it Britain's place to take in, house and educate the family of every Nigerian police officer who is killed?

Realistically, will such a policy help Nigeria and all Nigerians in the long run?

If these kids are as academically wonderful as their teachers say, then Nigeria probably needs them far more than we do.