The developments in Flora’s case come thick and fast, but make no sense. On 28 January the Home Office informed Flora’s legal adviser that her biometric data had to be taken and noted that her case was complicated because of human rights issues. On the face of it, this admission of human rights complications might have been a cause for hope. However, on 29 January, the Home Office wrote that her application for leave to remain had failed and that she had until 12 February to arrange her departure. This seemed to ignore, not only the previous letter, but also the fact that she was already detained at Yarl’s Wood.

Next, the 12 February deadline was also ignored, as the first attempt to deport Flora was made at Yarl’s Wood, also on 29 January. The attempt foundered because Flora had not been given the required 72 hours’ notice of deportation.

On 2 February, an officer from the security firm Serco informed Flora that a flight had been booked for her for the following day, 3 Feb. The officer asked her if she was “comfortable” about going to “administration” to talk to them about it. She replied that she again hadn’t been given the 72 hours’ notice, and refused to go. 2 hours later two male Serco officers came to her room and made the same request. She refused.

3 February came and went. Flora still has no idea what will happen next. Flora is depressed and on medication as a result of her experience of domestic violence which triggered this series of events. After speaking to her on the phone, her partner Keith says: “I am now concerned that her mental health may be affected by her detention as she sounds as though she is becoming more depressed.”

Flora should be released from detention immediately. If you have not already signed the petition (https://www.change.org/petitions/theresa-may-secretary-of-state-release-wanyu-flora-yennyuy-from-detention) please do so. It would also be helpful, considering Flora’s urgent need to get out of Yarl’s Wood, if you could also email Home Secretary Theresa May (mayt@parliament.uk) and Immigration Minister Mark Harper: (ministerforimmigration@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk)