The partner of an Iraqi man who has settled in Dover but now faces deportation is pleading for him to be allowed to stay.

Baktiar Kader, 34, has lived in the town for the past eight years. He came to England from Kurdistan, after his entire family were murdered and he faced persecution.

His partner Alexis, who has a daughter aged 13, said: “His whole sense of purpose, meaning in life and identity is embedded in his life here in Dover.”

Baktiar was detained on Thursday when he signed in at the immigration office in Folkestone and told he would be deported. He is currently being held at a detention centre.

Alexis added: “He has embraced the English culture and has become a very popular and much loved member of the Dover community.

“He genuinely feels that he would rather end his life than be returned to his country.”

For full story, see this week’s Dover Mercury.