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Dear Mr.Editor, May i respond through your good offices, to the harrowing report in the Banjul Observer , by Mr.Ibrahim Jones.He highlights his experiance of systematic ,racial abuse, whilst studying in the United Kingdom. Can i first of all empathise and sympathise with his appauling and degrading treatment.His experiance is not new to me.
Last year, i travelled to Abuja to gain an entry visa for my fiance, to meet my family and to get married in the U.K. Having worked closely with our High Commission in Banjul ..i was very much aware of the" tricky " protocol to gain this very neccessary document.Having met my wifes Royal Family..I felt very much responsible towards her safe and legal entry to the U.K.
I stood outside our embassy in rageing heat for 2 hours..insisting that i be granted an audience with embassy staff, to explain the nature of her application and to deliver any documentation required.I was refused entry several times..but eventually gained the services of a Nigerian member of staff ..to contact a British colleague to admit myself and my fiance.Having explained ..the circumstances....I followed advice to travel to Ganges Street to apply to the outside Nigerian Contractor..to pay the fees and fill in the required forms.Some two weeks later she was granted an interview and the visa and travelled to the U.K. through Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, on route to Manchester.Waiting in the arrivals lounge , i was summoned to a telephone to speak to immigration officials who were adamant that the visa issued was only a Visitors visa and as such did not grant the right to marry.They were very reluctant to admit her into the U.K. I begged and pleaded and reassured them that i would personally make certain ,she would return to Abuja to reapply for the Fiance visa which we had paid for...and that i could not possibly understand the discrepancy.?They eventually allowed her into the U.K. after several heated exchanges.
Some two months later, i had eventually convinced our embassy in Abuja of there mistake, and Monique travelled with me to Manchester Airport...for the return flight .Klm {Dutch Airlines} ... refused to allow her to travel..stating that she did not have a transit visa through Schipol.....I said but thats crazy...she came through Schipol originally..?Looking somewhat puzzelled they checked the Ticket which showed the truth of my words....? Then they said she should not have been allowed through Schipol .in the first place.I advised them that when i booked the flight i explained the full circumstances of her travel.No one advised me that she required a transit visa ? After lengthy phone calls between Manchester and Schipol
the time to board the flight passed.Monique was left stranded.We returned home very worried.After speaking to the Dutch Embasssy in Liverpool and K.L.M. Top Brass in Holland....I threatened them with Legal action..at which they relented and made a full refund of the booking.I took futher advice and found that if she travelled by British Airways through
Heathrow..direct to Abuja...then there would be no problem.This she did..first travelling 300 miles by train then the tube to Heathrow Airport.If you consider that this was her first International trip...travelling alone... it speaks volumes for her bravery.
Eventually.. another fee and interview later....she returned through Heathrow on a delayed flight with another visa. At Euston Station she missed the last train North.Having no English coins on her..there then followed a very dangerous time as i tried to find alternative routes through Sheffield and even Edinburgh 500 miles away by train to no avail.Waiting in the station..she was becomming scared at the unwanted attenion from drunks and felt threatened.At 1am they were about to close the station..and throw her onto the street.
London is not the place for a young and vulnerable female....in the dark .I telephoned arround 50 Hotels..but they were full or unwilling to accept payment by phone....or required advanced bookings.By Luck.... i convinced a hotel next to the station....to take her by sending e/mail details of my bank account and letters of reference.At 3 am in the morning ,she finally was able to lock her hotel room door and get ready to catch the first train out from Euston at 7am. At 6 am i travelled to my local station to pay for her ticket in cash...which they transferred to the desk at Euston. By 10.30 am we were together again.
In the peace and tranquility of the English Lake District.
3, weeks later..we attended our local Register office by appointment....to name the wedding day.......The Lady Registrar welcomed us and took all our details and documents.
On opening Moniques passport her smile turned to a dark frown......She enquired....why are you here today....we said to get married...she replied..but surely..your already married ?
WE looked at each other and laughed.....No i said. But the visa in Moniques passport is a settlement visa....? This is only granted if your already married....I said your joking me ? surely...?..she showed me the visa.....Oh My God i exclaimed...!!!..Not another nightmare.
We left....again extremely worried. The Embassy had again issued the wrong visa !!!
We didnt know wether to laugh or cry.......I said dont worry....ill find a way to get through this.
I then contacted my local Member of Parliament....along with the Home Office..and The Nigerian Embassy in London.By very good luck..we spoke to an intelligent member of there staff....I informed him that my fiance was to be visited by a concerned member of staff from the Nigerian Embassy who were not at all amused by the treatment of a member of a Royal household..of Nigeria. Days later....common sense prevailed...and the Home Office acknowledged there mistake..and wrote to the Registrar giving permission for the marriage.However.....i was not too happy that these circumstances had prevailed and wrote to U.K. Visa's to insist on either an appology or compensation....for the needless worry and extra expense { £2,600}....this was supported by our member of Parliament..who was both embarressed and outraged....The reply....was as follows....Your fiance....signed a form stating that she understood the questions asked.. and that by signing the form....she acknowledged that she was travelling only to visit the U.K. Consequently..neither an appology or compensation...is in there view necessary. My wife still suffers from her countries colonial days...and insisted that we should not upset Her Majesties Government.
By further persuing them....? Though this is not my view...I accepted and acceeded to her respectful request....with some protest.
The marriage day was indeed most welcome and was given good support from the Registrar and her staff....for which i was very proud.
For sometime....my wife was reluctant to venture out on her own.....One Saturday..i insisted that she went into town to do some shopping on her own. Our Town is a small market Town on the edge of the beautiful Lake District.It has a fine History and became a Borough...even before Manchester became a Town. Some 45 minutes after venturing out she returned in tears...Some youths had surrounded her in the Town center..and started calling her a nigger...they jostled her...and through racial insults. I was shaking with anger.
I immediately called the police .who responded within minutes....and tried to apprehend the offenders....even viewing hours of C.C.TV footage....to no avail.The police followed up the incident with visits and offered counselling....I also informed our M.P. who was equally outraged....Some two weeks later..whilst in ASDA {Walmart} Two white women...one either side...approached my wife....to exclaim.....Just another hungry F==K==G African. Unfortunately..i was not present ..and she did not tell me about the incident until we got home.....I think.it is likely..that you will hear of my imprisonment soon.....as if i ever catch any of these racists....i will explode.My wife is no wall flower...she is an African to the core....she is strong and resolute....But also extremely respectful .After months of trying to get a job..whilst studying to become a Lawyer through The Open University....to Join her Aunty..
who is a member of the Nigerian Bar Asssociaton {N.B.A.} and two Uncles who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria { SAN } and her 9 members of her family who are Barristers including her sister who is a prominaent Human Rights Lawyer.....she has done well. With her 9 "A"
levels....she has progressed rapidly increasing her wages 3 times in 6 weeks and already being promoted..to a senior Payroll Manager within a very large P.L.C.
I say this to The Home Office......and our Embassy in Abuja.....I do not in any way condone..
this treatment of any foriegn national.Especially our friends from Africa....All need to examine their conscience and there procedures....and our laws to ensure that peaceful and good intentioned citizens....Like Mr.Ibrahim Jones..and others..are protected and given equal rights to the access to the Law...and its retribution and reasonable compensation .whilst furthering there aims and ambitions, should the need arrise. As a concerned British Citizen..I accept without reservation Mr.Jones's claims...and offer my sincere appologies..on behalf of all British citizens of good conscience and standing .I would urge Mr.Jones to write to His Excellancy Mr.Phil Sinkinson O.B.E. at our High Commisssion...in The Gambia...where i feel certain the matter will be given a sympathetic
ear.....and a most unreserved apology.Further to this....if he would like to write to me through Freedom Newspaper....in strict confidence...I will endeavour to assist further in any way possible.
Thankyou for your gracious time......Michael...United Kingdom.