Fatou Tamba, a 55-year-old woman originally from The Gambia, was again moved overnight to Cayley House Heathrow after being detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre. She is facing deportation today – Tuesday 6 May 2025. The handling of her case by the Home Office raises serious legal and ethical concerns.
A few days ago, Fatou was moved in the middle of the night from Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) to Yarl’s Wood. She had no warning, was asked to sign documents without legal consultation, had her phone taken, and – crucially – she cannot read or write. Neither she nor her lawyer have been given a copy of her removal directions, which is a clear breach of legal protocol. She doesn’t know what time she will be removed tomorrow, on which airline and from which airport.
Fatou has lived in the UK for 18+ years, fleeing political persecution in The Gambia. She has family here who are British citizens, strong community ties in Liverpool, and her case is now public – making removal even more dangerous. Her mental health has severely declined in detention, and there are serious medical concerns about her suitability for removal.
Over 25 000 people have signed the petition asking for her deportation to be stopped
This article is based on a media release from No to Hassockfield
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