ALAN Simpson has written to the minister responsible for immigration requesting that the deportation of a mum-of-two from The Meadows be halted.

Selina Adda was due to be deported to Ghana on Friday last week, but the process was halted when her solicitor obtained an injunction.

Now, Miss Adda's legal representatives have applied for a Judicial Review of the decision to deport her.

But Alan Simpson has asked the Minister responsible to make a discretionary decision, "to avoid the delay and costs" that will be involved in the judicial process.

Miss Adda fled Ghana with her children, Brian, now eight and Chelsea, four, in 2004.

Mr Simpson said Miss Adda, a Catholic, fled Ghana to avoid a forced marriage to a Muslim when she already had a partner and children.

He said: "The most specific concern is that her daughter will almost certainly be forced to undergo female circumcision.

"To send Selina back to Ghana would be to send her and her children into a situation where they would be subject to abuse."