A GRANDMOTHER deported to Singapore, despite her 27-year marriage to a North-East man, has said she has been treated like a terrorist.

Irene Clennell, 52, who cares for her husband, John, at their home in Ouston, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was sent to her country of origin on Sunday.

She has two British sons and a ten-month-old granddaughter, but was placed in a Scottish immigration detention centre for weeks before being deported.

She reportedly had just £12 in her pocket and no change of clothes when she was removed from the country.

Mrs Clennell said: “It is a bloody disgrace, they treat me like a terrorist and anything else under the sun.

“They embarrass me in front of everybody, the only thing I did wrong was marry a British man and want to stay in the country with my kids and my husband.

“I have never done wrong to anybody, all I want is my family and this is what I get.”

Mrs Clennell was married in London, in 1990, but has spent long periods in Singapore caring for her sick parents.

She said the Home Office told her someone would meet her in Singapore on her return but they did not.

She said they ticked a box on a form handed to her which said she has been violent and disruptive.

Mrs Clennell added: “I had to call my sister to ask her to put me up for a few days because what they told me was a lie.

“They said they would help me get a job and integrate me into Singapore society and it was all a lie.”

“The people who escorted me to the airport told me there would be someone to meet up with me but they did not do anything.

“The officers handed me a letter from the Home Office which says I have exhibited disruptive and violent behaviour.

“It also says my case is subject to orchestrated public protest.

“They call me violent and all sorts of false accusations against me trying to justify what they are doing as right.”

Mrs Clennell is currently staying with her sister but she says the situation is untenable as her nephews, both married, are also there and the accommodation is cramped.

The Home Office states that where a person is granted indefinite leave to remain, it will lapse if they live outside the UK for two years or more.

They say Irene last entered the UK as a visitor in 2013 and went on to make an application to remain as the spouse of her husband.

This was refused and her appeal rights were exhausted in July 2014, she therefore has had no legal basis to remain in the country since 2014.

The family now have 28 days to lodge an appeal and have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise legal fees for her case.

The campaign has now raised around £47,000.

The fundraising page can be found at gofundme.com/bringirenehome