Family in doctored photo row to be deported

A family that became embroiled in an election dispute over a Tory candidate's doctored photograph is to be deported today.

Verah Kachepa and her four children are to be returned to Malawi after losing a long-running battle to remain in Britain.

Mrs Kachepa, age 44, had been living in Weymouth in Dorset for four years when she was arrested in March. She and her four children, aged 11 to 20, were taken to a detention centre.

Her plea for asylum - prior to the election on 5 May - caught the attention of Ed Matts, Tory candidate in Dorset South. He hoped to garner extra votes when he appeared at a rally to show his support for the family.

But Mr Matt's election leaflets used a doctored version of a photograph which suggested he was following the hardline Tory stance on immigration. He was forced to apologise by his party.

Now the Kachepa family have lost their final plea to the Government, and fear they will be returning to a country where their lives are in danger.