Former Withington MP and the city’s sole opposition councillor, John Leech has urged the government with a petition to prevent the deportation of local hero, Robert Chilowa
Robert Chilowa saved a young boy and girl from his neighbour’s burning house back on February 10th and was praised for his bravery by Manchester’s police.
Chilowa ran into the blaze after being altered by the older sister of the two, that they were trapped inside, Mr. Chilowa told the two to jump into his arms and he would catch them.
The fire did however claim the lives of the children’s grandparents. Mohammed Awad, 56, and Hasma Awad, 47, died at the scene.
Despite his heroics, Robert Chilowa, 46, now faces deportation from the U.K. after receiving a letter from the Home Office last week informing him that he had no right to stay and he will be deported back to Zimbabwe.
Robert Chilowa has been seeking political asylum in Manchester from the despotic regime of Robert Mugabe.
John Leech, Withington’s former MP of ten years, has launched a bid to grant Mr. Chilowa permanent residence, in the U.K. The city’s opposition councillor has setup a petition which has garnered almost 7,000 signatures to keep Robert in Manchester.
After meeting with Robert Chiwola two weeks ago, the veteran politician wrote a strongly worded letter to the Home Office Secretary, Amber Rudd, demanding Mr. Chilowa’s residence to be made permanent.
Last week Mr. Leech made his letter public, calling on others to pledge their support – so far more than 1,000 people had backed him.
I met Robert Chilowa after the fire in Withington. He's at risk of deportation! Sign my letter to @AmberRudd_MP now!➡https://t.co/tGtGpCBsoe pic.twitter.com/UL6pwwCqx6
— John Leech (@johnleechmcr) March 12, 2017
The former Liberal Democrat MP said: “Unless you live and work here in Withington, you simply cannot appreciate just how much that fire rocked our community. Flowers from across the whole city piled up outside the family’s home; it was a deeply painful time for everyone locally.
“People like Robert make Manchester the thriving, diverse, international and world-class city it is today. We don’t want him leaving, we want him involved in our community.”
“Manchester is a diverse, welcoming and tolerant community and I know that every single person here is ready to welcome Robert with open arms.”
In a further direct and passionate appeal to the Government, Leech pleaded with the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd: “Deporting Mr. Chilowa would be an act of gross injustice, critically undermining our sense of humanity and our commitment to inclusion and tolerance.
“I urge you to show compassion in this case, and allow Mr Chilowa to remain here in the U.K.”
With the online petition attracting almost 7,000 signatures and Mr Leech’s intervention, an extension on the deportation deadline was granted, and a final hearing will be held next week to determine whether he can stay.
You can support the petition to stop Mr Chilowa’s deportation here.
Serious fire this morning at house on corner of Parsonage Rd and St Chads Rd in Withington. 5 people taken to hospital. pic.twitter.com/sM9dARY4za
— Michelle Adamson (@michellea951) February 10, 2017
Shocking news about the house fire in #withington (St Chads Road) apparently 5 people involved.
— William Jones #FBPE ???? (@Just_Will_I_am) February 10, 2017
Five people who were injured in the fatal house fire in Withington are "recovering well". Investigations continue. pic.twitter.com/ZGlRpH5ILo
— BBC Radio Manchester (@BBCRadioManc) February 12, 2017
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