A devastated husband has accused the Home Office of “obliterating” his family by refusing his sick Filipino wife permission to visit the UK.
Iain Stewart said he is in utter despair at the ruling which could leave the couple’s teenage son to fend for himself until he completes school.
His wife Jovy lives full time in Manila but for the past four years has been spending several months at a time in Fife looking after son Simon, 18, a pupil at Kirkcaldy High.
Mr Stewart, who works away from home during the week, joins the pair at weekends.
Jovy, 46, has been travelling on visitors’ visas as a decision on permanent residency could take months, during which time she would be unable to travel to Scotland.
The couple, who have been together for 21 years and married for six, had previously been living in Asia along with Simon.
Jovy had been due to return to Kirkcaldy last month to be with her husband and son and to allow her to undergo a serious operation on a medical condition.
But the family were stunned when the Home Office denied permission, saying she did not comply with the rules of the visitors’ visa as the UK appeared to be her main home. She now has no right of appeal and has been told that any future applications are likely to be refused.
Mr Stewart, 73, described the situation as “utterly wrong” and added: “This has obliterated our family.
“If she doesn’t come back I will have to go over to the Phillipines to look after Jovy because of her health, I’ll lose my job and Simon will be left alone.”
Mr Stewart, who originally hails from Dundee, has enlisted the help of Kirkcaldy MP Roger Mullin in his fight against the ruling.
Mr Mullin said: “I understand that it is disappointing for my constituentthat his wife has been unable to join him in the UK on this particular occasion.
“I have written to the Home Secretary Theresa May and I hope to receive a prompt response.”
The Courier understands that the issue may centre on Mrs Stewart’s intention to undergo a major operation provided by the NHS in Scotland, with current rules stating that a visitor to the UK must not intend to access medical treatment, other than private medical treatment or to donate an organ.
A Home Office spokesman said: “All cases are carefully considered on their individual merits, in line with the UK immigration rules and based on evidence provided by the applicant.”