Leeds MP challenges Gordon Brown on deportation

5.50.05pm GMT Fri 21st Mar 2008

Leeds MP Greg Mulholland

At this week's Prime Minister's Question Time the Lib Dem MP for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland, challenged the Prime Minister on the policy of deporting people to Iran who are likely to meet harsh treatment when they arrive there due to their sexual orientation, religious beliefs or other qualities.

He said, "Yesterday, I was pleased to present a petition to the Prime Minister on behalf of my constituent, Mr. Ali Pourkaberian, an Iranian Christian who was supposed to be deported. We were delighted to get the news on the same day that his deportation has been put on hold. However, when will the Government accept that deporting Christians, homosexuals or anyone else whom the objectionable regime in Iran does not like is simply not facing up to our human rights responsibilities?"