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Lawrence killer to remain in UK Lawrence killer to remain in UK
(20 minutes later)
The man who knifed head teacher Philip Lawrence to death has been allowed to stay in the UK after winning an appeal against deportation.The man who knifed head teacher Philip Lawrence to death has been allowed to stay in the UK after winning an appeal against deportation.
Learco Chindamo, 26, is serving a life sentence for killing Mr Lawrence outside his London school in 1995.Learco Chindamo, 26, is serving a life sentence for killing Mr Lawrence outside his London school in 1995.
Chindamo's lawyers argued that deporting him to Italy, where he was born, would breach his human rights.Chindamo's lawyers argued that deporting him to Italy, where he was born, would breach his human rights.
Mr Lawrence's widow said she was "unutterably depressed" by the ruling, adding, "I feel I can't survive this".Mr Lawrence's widow said she was "unutterably depressed" by the ruling, adding, "I feel I can't survive this".
'Ludicrous decision''Ludicrous decision'
The ruling in favour of Chindamo's application was made by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.The ruling in favour of Chindamo's application was made by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed that the courts have not upheld our decision to pursue deportation in this case."A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed that the courts have not upheld our decision to pursue deportation in this case."
The Home Office has five days to lodge its intention to appeal.The Home Office has five days to lodge its intention to appeal.
Meanwhile Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said it was a "ludicrous decision" to allow Chindamo to stay.Meanwhile Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said it was a "ludicrous decision" to allow Chindamo to stay.
Chindamo, who was jailed for life in 1996 with a minimum 12-year term, could be released early next year if the Parole Board decides it is safe to do so.Chindamo, who was jailed for life in 1996 with a minimum 12-year term, could be released early next year if the Parole Board decides it is safe to do so.
Philip Lawrence was killed in 1995 as he helped a pupilPhilip Lawrence was killed in 1995 as he helped a pupil
Chindamo was told the news at the weekend and was said to be "pleased" because his "family and life were in the UK".Chindamo was told the news at the weekend and was said to be "pleased" because his "family and life were in the UK".
In a statement he said he hoped the decision would not "cause grief" to Philip Lawrence's widow Frances or to the rest of his family and went on to express his deepest sympathy.In a statement he said he hoped the decision would not "cause grief" to Philip Lawrence's widow Frances or to the rest of his family and went on to express his deepest sympathy.
But Mrs Lawrence has said she was "devastated " and "demoralised" by the ruling. But Mrs Frances Lawrence has said she was "devastated " and "demoralised" by the ruling.
Chindamo came to the UK when he was six. His father is Italian, his mother is from the Philippines and he has an Italian passport.Chindamo came to the UK when he was six. His father is Italian, his mother is from the Philippines and he has an Italian passport.
He was 15 years old when he stabbed Mr Lawrence as the head teacher defended a pupil outside St George's Roman Catholic comprehensive school. He was 15 years old when he stabbed Mr Lawrence as the teacher defended a pupil outside St George's Roman Catholic comprehensive school.
His lawyers said the Home Office wanted Chindamo to be returned to Italy when he was freed from prison. 'Reformed' character
But they argued that the move was illegal as Chindamo was from a European Union country and had already lived in the UK for 10 years by 1995. Chindamo's lawyers said the Home Office wanted him returned to Italy when he was freed from prison.
But they successfully argued the move would have been illegal as Chindamo was from a European Union country and had already lived in the UK for 10 years by 1995.
Chindamo's lawyer Nigel Leskin said his client was now a reformed character who was unlikely to offend again.
"He was involved in a gang when he was young. He was a kid trying to act up big. He was out of control and he thought he knew everything. He now realises how wrong he was."
Mr Leskin added: "He strikes me as a very reformed, very nice, very thoughtful person."
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "We believe that foreign prisoners who have committed serious crimes should face automatic deportation from the UK at the end of their sentence.A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "We believe that foreign prisoners who have committed serious crimes should face automatic deportation from the UK at the end of their sentence.
I feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this Frances LawrenceI feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this Frances Lawrence
"We will study the judgement and make a decision as to whether to appeal in due course.""We will study the judgement and make a decision as to whether to appeal in due course."
It was the second time the government had tried to remove Chindamo - an attempt in 2001 was blocked because it began too soon after he had been sentenced.It was the second time the government had tried to remove Chindamo - an attempt in 2001 was blocked because it began too soon after he had been sentenced.
Mr Gordon of the PFEW said: "The fact that he may be paroled and back on our the streets as early as next year is in itself disgusting. Life should mean life.Mr Gordon of the PFEW said: "The fact that he may be paroled and back on our the streets as early as next year is in itself disgusting. Life should mean life.
"What about the human rights of Philip Lawrence, robbed of his life by a thoughtless knife attack or the human rights of Mr Lawrence's wife and children, deprived of a loving husband and father.""What about the human rights of Philip Lawrence, robbed of his life by a thoughtless knife attack or the human rights of Mr Lawrence's wife and children, deprived of a loving husband and father."
Mrs Lawrence said: "I am unutterably depressed that the Human Rights Act has failed to encompass the rights of my family."Mrs Lawrence said: "I am unutterably depressed that the Human Rights Act has failed to encompass the rights of my family."
A year after her husband's death Mrs Lawrence set up the Philip Lawrence Awards to honour young people's efforts in tackling social issues.A year after her husband's death Mrs Lawrence set up the Philip Lawrence Awards to honour young people's efforts in tackling social issues.
She added: "I am deeply concerned for everything I have worked for, including the setting up of the Philip Lawrence Awards.She added: "I am deeply concerned for everything I have worked for, including the setting up of the Philip Lawrence Awards.
"I feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this.""I feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this."
Shadow immigration minister, Damian Green, told News 24 that there was something wrong with human rights legislation if a convicted murderer could not be deported to a friendly democratic fellow EU state.Shadow immigration minister, Damian Green, told News 24 that there was something wrong with human rights legislation if a convicted murderer could not be deported to a friendly democratic fellow EU state.
"The notion of human rights fall into disrepute if it's seen that the rights of a convicted murderer somehow are put above the rights of a grieving family whose father has been murdered.""The notion of human rights fall into disrepute if it's seen that the rights of a convicted murderer somehow are put above the rights of a grieving family whose father has been murdered."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis added: "It is a stark demonstration of the clumsy incompetence of this Government's human rights legislation that we are unable to send a proven killer back to his own country, especially when that country is in the EU."Shadow Home Secretary David Davis added: "It is a stark demonstration of the clumsy incompetence of this Government's human rights legislation that we are unable to send a proven killer back to his own country, especially when that country is in the EU."