Moray MP to raise constituent's deportation battle with Home Secretary
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Moray MP Douglas Ross will raise the case of a constituent facing deportation to his native China with the Home Secretary today (Monday).
Matt Freeman (47), who first moved to the UK in 2003 and now lives in Lossiemouth, has been denied leave to remain in the UK after a battle lasting several years.
He has suffered from mental health problems and co-founded the charity Moray Wellbeing Hub in 2017, while, in 2018, he was elected as director at VOX Scotland, a national mental health charity.
The local MP contacted the Home Office again in January to argue that the case is looked at again.
Today, he will raise the matter directly with Home Secretary Priti Patel during Home Office questions in the House of Commons.
Mr Ross said: “Matt is an asset to his local community and is very well educated. He has been trying for years now to secure indefinite leave to remain in this country.
“I have written several letters in support of his applications since I was first elected as an MP in 2017.
“Today, I am raising this matter in parliament directly with the Home Secretary.
“I am concerned about Matt’s welfare if he is sent back to China. He has no immediate family there so no reason to return, but he has a network of support here which has been important since he was diagnosed as bi-polar.
“I fear he may not have access to that same level of support if he goes back to China.
“I will be appealing to the Home Secretary to look again at his case and the decision to deny him indefinite leave to remain.”
Mr Freeman had previously told the Northern Scot: ""I'm fighting for my rights, I've lived here for 17 years and it's my right to stay in this country. My parents passed away in 2000, before I moved to the UK. I have no family in China.
"Moray is very beautiful and it is my home. I am proud to claim I am Scottish Chinese.
"I believe and advocate hope, love and peace. Now it is time to show the reality of my hope."
Matt Freeman fights deportation
