Courier petition handed in to 10 Downing Street
INVERNESS MP Drew Hendry has delivered a petition containing hundreds of names to 10 Downing Street in a bid to stop the owners of an Inverness guest house being deported.
About 1700 people signed the petition, launched by the Inverness Courier, in support of Americans Russell and Ellen Felber whose application for permanent residence was turned down shortly before Christmas.
The couple, who run the Torridon Guest House in Kenneth Street and have invested £400,000 in the business, insist they have complied with the necessary conditions and that the Home Office moved the goalposts.
Mr Hendry, who has taken up the couple’s case, said: "The Felbers’ situation has been brought into sharp focus this week, where much of our national discussion has been about unfairness, immigration and the appalling actions of US President Donald Trump.
"This petition serves as a reminder to the UK goverment that our constituency isn’t just my home, it isn’t just your home, it is also the Felbers’ home – and that we will stand with them."
Mr Hendry discussed the couple’s case with UK immigration minister Robert Goodwill last week but described the meeting as disappointing, saying there was an unmoving response to accept that changes to Home Office guidance and application forms were made after the couple submitted their application.
Worshippers at Inverness Cathedral, where Mrs Felber is a bellringer, are among those campaigning for the couple to be allowed to stay. Other supporters include Angus Robertson (the SNP leader at Westminster and MP for neighbouring Moray), the Rt Rev Mark Strange (the Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness for the Scottish Episcopal Church), and tourism leaders as well as people from across the world.
"The support is great," Mr Felber said. "It is very impressive."
Meanwhile, Mr and Mrs Felber have applied to have their case re-examined by the Court of Appeal, which allows them to stay in the UK until the case is heard. "I think the legal route is probably our best bet now," said Mr Felber, who is still awaiting a date for the hearing.
The couple moved to the Highlands in 2011 on a three-year entrepreneur visa which was extended for a further two years in 2014.
