Decision on future of Gamu expected today

REJECTED X Factor contestant Gamu Nhengu is expected to learn today if she will have to leave Scotland and return to her native Zimbabwe.

Her family, who live in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, lodged an application of appeal at an immigration court last week to try to overturn a Home Office deportation order, after it emerged the 18-year-old singer's mother's visa had expired and will not be extended.

Gary Cocker, of the Federation of Student Nationalists, yesterday told the SNP conference in Perth the row surrounding the singer has given a face to the "injustice and suffering" of the immigration system.

He said: "Because of the plight of Gamu Nhengu whose performance in The X Factor has captured the hearts of the nation, the injustice and suffering caused by the immigration system has been given a face and voice."

Scotland's culture minister Fiona Hyslop recently wrote to Home Secretary Theresa May calling for any options which would allow the singer's family to stay in Scotland to be fully explored.

Central Scotland MSP Christina McKelvie said an inquiry by Holyrood's equal opportunities committee had "exposed the myths" that immigrants come to Scotland and take houses and jobs.

She hit out at the "horrors" of UK immigration policy, including detention of children.

"We are an egalitarian, welfare-based nation - let's continue that and buck the trend of fear, suspicion and negativity," she said.