Dawn raid fuels rule change plea

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Calls for the rules on the forced removal of failed asylum seekers to be changed have been made after a dawn raid in Glasgow.

A mother and two children were detained by immigration officials in the city.

Azaddine Benai, the woman's husband, escaped and said he would be killed if he is returned to Algeria.

His family have been taken to Dungavel detention centre before being sent home on a flight from London on Friday at 1125 BST.

Leila Benai, 36, and her two children were expected to be transferred from Dungavel to London on Thursday.

Mr Benai has contacted his solicitor in an attempt to prevent deportation.

We will not remove anyone who we believe is at risk on their return Home Office spokeswoman

He said his life would be under threat if he returned to Algeria.

"I'm going to get killed, not by gun, by knife to cut throat," he said.

He was awakened by knocking on his door in Kingsway Court, Scotstoun, shortly after 0700 BST on Wednesday.

Mr Benai escaped by jumping from a first floor balcony but immigration officials removed his family from the home.

Both children need medical treatment.

Ousama, 11, is diabetic and needs regular blood checks and insulin injections.

'Living in fear'

He is a pupil at St Brendan's Primary School.

In a statement, Headteacher Donal Currie said: "We at St Brendan's have been in this situation several times and it creates anguish, worry and great distress for everyone involved with the school."

I'm absolutely shocked this happened to young children in Scotland in the year 2006 Christine GrahameSNP MSP

Ousama's sister, two-year-old Mayssa, is awaiting an operation at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill.

The Benai family have been living in Scotland for three years.

Those who work with asylum seekers said they were horrified dawn raids were starting up again six months after the Home Office said it was reviewing procedures.

Frank MacMaster, a voluntary worker, said: "The dawn raids continue to have the whole community here living in fear.

"It's very disappointing nothing has been done to stop this in spite of the assurances we had last year about a protocol."

Christine Grahame, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, said: "I'm absolutely shocked this happened to young children in Scotland in the year 2006 after all that has been said in this parliament.

"It must change without delay."

The Home Office does not comment on individual cases.

A spokeswoman said: "The government has made it clear that it will take a robust approach to removing people from the country where they have no legal right to be here.

"We examine with great care each individual case before removal and we will not remove anyone who we believe is at risk on their return.

"Removals are always carried out in the most sensitive way possible, treating those being removed with courtesy and dignity."