| Electronic Telegraph |
May
13, 1997
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| Title: Nepalese Heir Saved From Deportation | ||
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NEPALESE man who was brought to Britain as a boy seven years ago by a millionaire
to be his son and heir was told last night that he will not be deported.
The decision by the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, overturns that of his predecessor,
Michael Howard. Richard Morley, a wealthy businessman, brought Jayaram Khadka, now 20, to live at his family home in Clearwell Castle in the Forest of Dean, Glos. It was, he said, "a debt of honour" to the boy's father, Basu, who in 1984 saved his life while climbing 17,000ft up in the Annapurna mountains. Mr Khadka, a policeman, refused any reward but requested that if he should die, Mr Morley would care for his son. Mr Morley, who had said that he was prepared to leave the country himself if that was the only way he could keep his family together, said he was absolutely delighted by the Home Secretary's decision. The family would be "raising the roof" in celebration. He said: "It has been six years of worry and strain trying to win the right for our son to remain with us. After all that time we are overcome with emotion." In 1996, Mr Howard rejected the advice of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal that Mr Khadka should be allowed to stay on the grounds of compassion and ruled that he would have to return to his native country. Mr Morley took the case to the High Court. Although the judge said that Mr Howard's decision might be considered "harsh", he nonetheless upheld his judgment. A statement issued by the Home Office last night said Mr Straw had overturned the decision and unequivocally accepted the conclusion of the Immigration Advisory Tribunal that Mr Khadka "would never become a burden on public funds". The statement also said Mr Khadka appeared to be "a young man of promise and it would be regrettable if that promise were to be fundamentally affected". It said: "Having reviewed his case as one of a number of issues outstanding on his arrival at the Home Office, the Home Secretary has decided to exercise his discretion to allow Mr Khadka to remain exceptionally. Arrangements will now be made to regularise Mr Khadka's stay in the United Kingdom." Mr Khadka, who said before last night's decision that he was "petrified" that he would be arrested and deported, was too emotionally overwrought to comment on the outcome. Mr Morley said: "Our first thought must go out to all the well-wishers across the country who petitioned for Jay to be allowed to stay. They sent thousands of letters of support as well as petitions to the courts and the Home Secretary - we are just so grateful. We are overjoyed that the new Government stood firm on human rights and has given all those who seek compassion a fresh hope in the future." Mr Morley said he had not been greatly surprised by the ruling. He said: "We expected the Government to uphold the principles on which it was elected and this decision shows clearly that it has." Mr Khadka, who was privately tutored at home, had been learning the rudiments of Mr Morley's business in preparation for his £2.5 million inheritance. He lives as part of a domestic co-operative with Mr Morley, six other men and two women. |