Gay partner to stay in UK (From Gazette Series)

Gay partner to stay in UK

AFTER months of uncertainty a Cam man has told of his joy over the news that his gay partner will not be deported back to Algeria.

In November the Gazette reported how Howard Jeans-Seymour, of Woodfields, was battling furiously with Government officials to keep his partner Izmer - not his real name - in the country.

Mr Jeans-Seymour, 47, feared if Izmer, 22, was returned to his home country of Algeria he would, as a Muslim, face imprisonment for his sexuality.

Over the New Year however the pair, who have known each other for two years, received the good news that Izmer is now recognised as a refugee rather than an asylum seeker.

Izmer has been granted five years 'remain to leave' by the Home Office. It means he can stay in the UK as a refugee for five but his case will then have to be reassessed.

Mr Jeans-Seymour told the Gazette he and Izmer were delighted at the news. He said: "I am chuffed to bits. It has been a long, long fight for 11 months but the government has finally acknowledged his claims."

The change of status from asylum seeker to refugee now entitles Izmer to similar rights as British citizens and Mr Jeans-Seymour said getting a job has been a priority for Izmer since hearing the good news.

Mr Jeans-Seymour said: "As soon as he found out he was on the internet looking for a job.

"He had been promised a job at the One Stop shop in Cam, but because of staff shortages he had to be replaced and now there are not any vacancies which is a shame."

Izmer was once in the Algerian Air Force training to be a pilot but was removed from his course and imprisoned because of his sexuality. Mr Jeans-Seymour said Izmer is now considering completing his training.

He said: "He had taken eight out of nine exams needed to become a pilot so he didn't have much left to do.

"We are going to see a solicitor about breach of contract but he would like to complete his training properly."

With a long but successful battle behind them the couple are now looking forward to a future together and told the Gazette they are even considering a civil partnership.

Mr Jeans-Seymour said: "It's our next step.

"We don't know whether we can legally yet because we are not sure how far Izmer's rights stretch but we are looking into it."

Izmer's identity has been protected for his own safety at the request of the couple.