Tory MP Bob Spink today vowed to help a widow facing deportation from America after her husband was killed in the Twin Towers tragedy.

Deena Gilbey, originally from Hockley, has two American-born children and she wants to bring them up in the country.

However, because Deena did not work in America and does not have a Green Card, she was given a year from the date of her husband's death to leave the country - meaning she could face deportation on September 11.

Mr Spink, member for Castle Point, today told how he had talked to the American ambassador about 37-year-old Deena's plight.

He said: "I have asked him to make sure he lets America know how the British people feel about this subject.

"These are extreme circumstances and we would expect the American people to feel an extreme amount of sympathy for Deena and her children."

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002