The woman, 41, who is currently detained at the Yarl’s Wood Immigration Centre in Bedford, claimed asylum in March but her application was refused a month later. The UK Border Agency rejected her application on the basis that they had found her claims that she was a victim of a forced marriage and human trafficking untrue.
Thames Valley police have contacted the woman to say that the man she claims raped her has been arrested but released on bail pending further inquires. According to the Guardian, a letter to the woman from police, dated June 6, stated that the investigation would continue and that she should stay in touch through email if she was deported.
Speaking from Yarl’s Wood detention centre, the woman said: “They said if I go to Nigeria I should send an email about the facts. But if I go back to Nigeria I don’t have access to a computer. I don’t even know how to use a computer.”
Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East, said that he had written letters to the Minister for Immigration, Damian Green, and the UK Border Agency to highlight the woman’s “compassionate and compelling circumstances”.
According to police, her account of rape was questioned because although she claimed her rape happened in February, she did not report it until she entered Yarl’s Wood. When asked about her delay in reporting the crime, the woman said she was afraid she would be considered “a dirty person” and she felt able to report the rape after receiving welfare advice.
A spokesperson at the UK Border Agency released a statement that said: “The police have confirmed they have no objections to this individual being removed and that it will not compromise their investigation.
“All aspects of this individual’s immigration case were considered fully and dismissed by the courts. There is no legal basis for her to remain in the UK and therefore removal is appropriate.”
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