CAMPAIGNERS pushed for a Tory MP’s ex-cleaner to be released yesterday after she escaped deportation because her flight to Colombia did not “meet the requirements.”

Supporters of Isabella Acevedo, who was a cleaner for former immigration minister Mark Harper, condemned the Tories for victimising a hard-working mother but promoting Mr Harper. 

Legal defence fund co-ordinator Deepa Naik said that supporters were asking for Home Secretary Theresa May to “do the honourable thing” and immediately grant Ms Acevado citizenship.

As reported by the Star earlier this week, Forest of Dean MP Mr Haper handed in his employee of seven years to border authorities after being exposed for hiring her illegally. 

He stepped down as immigration minister in February but was reappointed as Minister for Disabled People in the latest government reshuffle. 

Ms Acevedo was arrested three days later while attending her daughter’s wedding.

She was told at the eleventh hour that Thursday’s deportation had been deferred when her seat on British Airways flight 247 was cancelled “due to airline criteria.”

Speaking on behalf of the Latin American Community Association (Latca), human rights advocate Miriam Colque said: “Obviously this is another case of exploitation in the 21st century.”

To Ms Colque and many of Ms Acevedo’s supporters there is a great injustice in the fact that Mr Harper “walks on the streets impune while Isabella is in a detention centre.”

Latca and other groups are now organising a visit to Yarlswood Detention Centre on August 9 to raise Ms Acevedo’s morale.