A NORTH EAST grandmother is being detained at a hotel in Australia and facing under threat of being deported after a trip to see family turned into hell.

Clare Henderson, from Billingham, flew to Perth, in Western Australia, to visit her sons Michael and Martin and their families, including her three-year-old granddaughter Florence. 

But the trip turned into a nightmare when she arrived at Perth Airport and was detained by immigration officers, had her fingerprints taken and was questioned for more than six hours before being taken to hotel and told she would shortly be deported.

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The retired foster carer has not had a Covid vaccination because she was advised against it due to having a medical condition called temporal arteritis, which caused inflammation of her arteries. 

The Northern Echo:

She was granted a travel exemption on compassionate grounds as a result of her condition, but since arriving in Australia has been told the law in Western Australia has changed since it was approved in November.

Michael, 33, speaking at about 10pm Perth time on Tuesday, described the situation as “ludicrous” and said she had been treated like a criminal. 

He told The Northern Echo: “It doesn’t make any sense.”

He added: “She arrived yesterday at 5.15pm and we were all at the airport waiting. My three-year-old was there with a sign welcoming her grandma.

“To cut a long story short after seven hours someone finally spoke to us from Border Force and said they couldn’t disclose what was going on but we found out they said her exemption she had been given by the doctor was no longer valid.

“Because the condition she has causes inflammation of the arteries she’s on a high does of medication and her doctor advised her not to get the vaccine. She got that medical exemption and she got a visa – that was confirmed. Then she got a ‘good to go pass’ and the last thing was a digital passport. She did everything.

“She’s been told since the visa was granted federal laws have changed to that medical exemption is no longer valid in Western Australia.

“They allowed her to get on the plane. She had all of the documents with her and she arrived thinking she was going to just come through.”

He added: “She’s been treated like a criminal. It’s been horrific.”

She was initially told she was going to be deported and flown back to the UK on Tuesday night. However, a decision will not be made until April 21.

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The trip was meant to be first time she was able to see her family in Australia since the pandemic and she has not seen Florence in person since she was a newborn.

Michael, who has lived in Australia for 13 years and works as a breath work facilitator for people dealing with trauma and mental health issues, has been staging a campaign outside the Holiday Inn in Perth, where she is being held, and has got a number of Australian media outlets and politicians involved.

The Northern Echo:

He had hoped to take her some fresh fruit and food, as well as pictures drawn by Florence to cheer her up but has not been allowed to deliver the parcel.

He added: “Mam is struggling with everything. The news today has given her some hope but the way she has been treated is horrific.

"She’s 64 and just got off a long haul flight. Her legs are swollen, she’s got a massive headache. It couldn’t have been more traumatic.

"She's been waving from the window but she's just been crying."

An Australian Border Force (ABF) spokesperson said: “Australia has strict border rules, including for unvaccinated travellers.

“The Australian Border Force ensures that people arriving at the border comply with our laws and entry requirements, and will continue to do so.

“To protect the privacy of individuals, we won’t discuss their personal circumstances.”

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