Tragic dad issues ultimatum (From Swindon Advertiser)

Tragic dad issues ultimatum

10:43am Friday 9th May 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

ARNEL Cabrera is ready to throw in the towel over his fight to remain in Swindon.

The 38-year-old Filipino has set the Home Office a deadline of next Wednesday to resolve his long-running visa dispute.

But South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove says his exasperation with the immigration authorities would let the Home Office off the hook.

His wife Mayra died at Great Western Hospital during childbirth in May 2004 when an epidural anaesthetic was mistakenly injected into her arm rather than the space of her spinal cord.

I feel that if Mr Cabrera left now it would let the Home Office off the hook and give them an excuse.

Anne Snelgrove

He had been allowed to remain in Swindon because she worked at as a nurse at the hospital.

But her death changed Arnel's immigration status and he was told by the Home Office he was no longer welcome.

Since a jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing at Mayra's inquest in Trowbridge earlier this year, he has been living with friends in Eldene but is desperate to stay in the town and bring up his son Zac.

And he says his motivation behind setting the authorities a deadline is so he can take Zac on holiday for a fourth birthday treat.

However, Mrs Snelgrove, pictured, says Arnel's deadline could hinder rather than help his plight.

She said: "This needs due process and cases like this can take up to six months.

"I feel that if Mr Cabrera left now it would let the Home Office off the hook and give them an excuse.

"Unfortunately, if he did go back there would be nothing I could do for him.

"For the sake of a matter of months it could make the difference to two lives."

Arnel said he has asked the Home Office to return his passport if they fail to allow him to stay permanently by Wednesday.

If he leaves the country before his application is approved he will not be allowed to return.

He said in a statement: "I have been unable to return to the Philippines during this difficult period and I desperately miss my young son, Zachary.

"I have promised him a holiday on May 17 as a birthday treat, which I am not prepared to cancel under any circumstances as I have missed his last three birthdays."

Arnel's bid to stay in Swindon had been backed by Wiltshire coroner David Masters, Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust chief executive Lyn Hill-Tout and some of the town's prominent politicians.

A Home Office spokesman said leaving the country would invalidate Arnel's claim to stay in the UK.