Briton who has lived in Australia for 50 out 51 years to be deported after setting fire to bushes

Amendments to Australia’s migration laws mean that those who have been sentenced to jail for 12 months or more could have their visas cancelled

Ian Wightman is being held at Christmas Island Detention Centre (file image) (Scott Fisher/Getty Images)

A 51-year-old British citizen who has lived in Australia for 50 years is facing deportation for lighting a scrub fire.

Ian Wightman started the blaze in 2011 while battling mental health problems believed to be the result of drug abuse.

The fire burnt less than an acre of scrubland and Wightman served 15 months in jail before being released in September. However he is now being held at an immigration detention centre on Christmas Island.

Despite Wightman’s strong ties to the country - he moved from the UK to Australia as a one-year-old - he could be deported because of amendments to Australia's migration laws which have given the Government the power to cancel visas for those who have been sentenced to jail for 12 months or more. It is believed that hundreds of people could be affected.

Speaking from Christmas Island, Wightman told ABC.net.au: “It’s an open-ended sentence and there’s no information, you can’t get any information.”

Wightman served as a volunteer in the Australian army reserve and many of his family members also live in Australia.

His partner, Diane Clifton, told Guardian Australia: “Ian has lived all his life in Australia. He pledged allegiance to this country when he volunteered for the army, I think this is totally unfair.”

Referring to the new laws, Wightman’s lawyer Alisdair Putt told Sky News: “In an effort to protect Australia, a lot of other people have been caught up [in the legal changes].”

Australia's Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told ABC.net.au: “If somebody is here on a visa… if they’ve committed a crime they have their visa cancelled.”

Earlier this year, Mr Dutton said the convicted criminals who would be affected by the changes were "detracting from the Australian society, not adding to it".

"They should be removed from our shores as quickly as possible.”