Yesterday, after 8 months of waiting and worrying, Myrtle was finally granted permission to remain (for 30 months) WITH access to benefits!
As you know, with YOUR kind help we were able to serve the Home Office with a powerful letter before action last Thursday threatening them with judicial review and demanding that the Home Office:
(1) grant Myrtle leave to remain without restricted access to benefits by Tuesday 5 April
(2) apologise to Myrtle for the delay and
(3) compensate her for the time she was unable to claim benefits due to the delay.
Yesterday, around 2pm, Myrtle was informed by the Home Office that that she has been allowed to stay for another 2 ½ years and can have recourse to public funds!
This is a MAJOR VICTORY and means that Myrtle and Mary can now apply for benefits, not having to fear slipping further into destitution.
And the Home Office even issued an apology saying:
“We have now granted Mrs Cothill leave to remain, with recourse to public funds. We apologise for the delay, which was caused by human error and we will endeavour to ensure such errors are not repeated.”
Whilst the excuse of human error is not entirely convincing considering your amazing efforts writing to the Home Office and your MPs which in turn led to several MPs reminding the Home Office of the ongoing delay, what matters most is the amazing outcome which we achieved together!
Mary and Myrtle are over the moon and are entirely indebted to your kindness, generosity and concern. They have the following message to you:
“That is the most marvellous news! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU SO MUCH for keeping us alive!”
We shall keep you informed and hope that you know that you made this possible.
THANK YOU!!
PS: here is yesterday's article in the Independent: