Fresh blow to Australian family facing deportation

credit - Scottish Government

A job offer to Kathryn Brain, who with her husband and their seven-year-old son is facing deportation to Australia within the next few days, has been withdrawn.

They have been trying to meet UK visa requirements so they can stay in Scotland - their home since 2011.

The family, whose case has been supported by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, are due to be deported on Monday.

RELATED CONTENT 

Michael Gove urged to let family remain in UK

Post-study visa return backed by Scottish Affairs Committee

Sturgeon, who met the family earlier this year, has said that their seven-year-old son Lachlan had "virtually grown up here, he is a Gaelic speaker, he is to all intents and purposes Scottish".  

GlenWyvis, a business behind plans for a new distillery, offered Mrs Brain a part-time job, with potential for it becoming full-time to help their case.

The firm said it withdrew the offer because Mrs Brain does not have a permit to work. Mrs Brain and her husband Gregg were told by immigration authorities that they were not allowed to work. 

GlenWyvis issued a statement on its Facebook page about the job offer withdrawal.

It also said the role offered had not complied with visa rules, adding that information "highly relevant" to Mrs Brain's application for another post advertised by the business was "delayed".

Ross, Skye and Lochaber SNP MP Ian Blackford, who has been campaigning on the Brains' behalf, told BBC Radio Scotland that it was "disappointing" that the offer of work had been withdrawn.

He said his "first concern" was to help Mrs Brain to find a job that was compliant with a Tier Two visa.

Blackford added: "We have got a family that wants to stay here and has got a lot to offer to the Highlands."

GlenWyvis has proposed building a new distillery near Dingwall, one of the places in the Highlands where the Brain family have been staying.

The business has been raising money towards the venture via a crowdfunding campaign.

Farmer John McKenzie, who heads up the business, offered Mrs Brain a part-time post at GlenWyis in May.

Speaking at the time, he said that he hoped the offer of work would help the Brains to be able to stay in Scotland.

In its newly-posted statement on Facebook, GlenWyvis said: "A genuine offer of a administrative role was made to Kathryn Brain in May during our busy crowdfunding.

"No permit to work was reissued sadly and the role was filled, it was also not Tier Two Visa compliant.

"One further job was then also advertised - history curator. Over 40 applications have been received, six are investors/founders."

Describing Mrs Brain as a "high profile applicant" for the curator post, the statement goes on to say that information dated 4 July and "highly relevant" to her application was not received until 22:19 on 16 July.