A NORTH-EAST MP has handed in a petition carrying more than 17,000 names in support of a woman who fears she will be killed if she is sent back to Zimbabwe.

Edneth Gotora fled the African state after her husband and daughter were killed by supporters of Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe.

Mrs Gotora, who was raped in a so-called rehabilitation camp, faces deportation after her application for asylum was rejected.

Stockton MP Frank Cook accompanied Mrs Gotora, who lives in the town, to hand in the petition to the Home Office yesterday, calling on Home Secretary Charles Clarke to reconsider her case.

They were joined by members of the United Reformed Church, in Stockton, of which Mrs Gotora is a member.

In November, the Government said it was changing its rules and would begin sending back failed asylum-seekers from Zimbabwe. This was despite reports of human rights abuses there and global condemnation of Mugabe, including by Tony Blair.

Mrs Gotora fled Zimbabwe in 2002 after her husband, who had spoken out and distributed literature against the ruling Zanu PF party, was killed along with their four-year-old daughter.

Mr Cook said: "I sincerely hope that Charles Clarke will recognise the strength of the case put forward by the church on behalf of Mrs Gotara, and will recognise this woman has suffered enough and should be allowed to stay."