Gabrielle Batola will plead to stay in Southampton

Gabrielle Batola has been on the verge of deportation for several months since her temporary leave to stay ran out.

The 33-year-old, who has had a son Mathieu since she came to the UK four years ago, claims that she will be persecuted if she is made to return to the Republic of Congo.

Lawyers have now won the right to present her case at the High Court next week, where they hope that a judge will overturn the Home Office order.

They claim that it would be a g a i n s t Gabrielle’s human rights to send her back to the Republic of Congo, which neighbours the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, because of the risk to her life as her family had sensitive political connections. Gabrielle also told the Daily Echo that she was beaten and abused as she tried to flee the country.

Her team of supporters – including the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev Michael Scott-Joynt – are hoping that the deportation order will be quashed.

Solicitor Naheed Ghauri said: “We have had a report commissioned that we think gives a strong case for allowing Gabrielle and Mathieu to stay.”

Friends have also set up a fighting fund to help pay the legal costs that have so far been largely met by supporters.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Gabrielle and Mathieu spent Christmas in a detention centre while the authorities tried to deport her for a fourth time. She won a lastminute reprieve and has since been battling to secure a court hearing where fresh evidence can be heard.

Gabrielle also sparked a police search when she went missing for several days following her release from the detention centre in January.

Friends were concerned for her welfare due to the stress her detention had caused. She was eventually found safe and well.

• If you would like to help support Gabrielle’s bid to stay, contact Sian Davies on 023 80424 504 or e-mail sian.davies@dailyecho.co.uk.