Brain family allowed to remain in the UK

An Australian family who had been fighting deportation from the Highlands have been told they can stay.

Kathryn and Gregg Brain, who moved to Dingwall with their son Lachlan in 2011, had been under pressure to leave the UK after failing to find work which would satisfy visa requirements.

But the Home Office today confirmed the family have been granted leave to remain after Mrs Brain found a job with a hotel firm.A Home Office spokesperson said: "We have always been clear with the Brain family that if a suitable job offer was received an application to remain in the UK would be considered. We gave them a number of extensions on an exceptional basis to allow them to try to secure a job that would allow them to meet the Immigration Rules.

"Mrs Brain was subsequently offered a job with a hotel group. This has been considered and we are satisfied that it meets the conditions for a Tier 2 visa. Today we have written to Mrs Brain and confirmed that she and her family have been granted leave to remain in the UK.”

Commenting on the decision, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is great news for the Brain family and an outcome that I warmly welcome, as this is a family who regard Scotland as their home and who want to stay here.

“I’m glad the UK Government has finally seen sense on this occasion – but the Brains should not have had this cloud of uncertainty hanging over them for so long.

“This case also illustrates a wider issue, which is that the UK Government must deliver an immigration system that meets Scotland’s needs and which allows talented international graduates and others with key skills to remain in Scotland after their studies are complete. We will continue to press for this.”