A GRANDMOTHER, a distant cousin of the Queen, faces imminent deportation despite her deteriorating health condition and her family all being British citizens.

Since 2014, Brenda Ackerman has been in dispute with the Home Office to remain in Worcester, which she calls home.

A petition is being launched today for new Home Secretary and Worcestershire MP Sajid Javid to look into the case and for the Home Office to reverse their refusal to grant her a visa, after two applications and an appeal were unsuccessful.

Mrs Ackerman originally left South Africa, where she was born, with her husband Brian in 2006 following a spate of burglaries that left them concerned for their safety.

The pair fled with no possessions and joined their daughter Candice Gordon and husband Martin and two children in Dubai.

Tragically, Mr Ackerman, died in 2012 and a year later the family lost their legal basis to be in Dubai, due to Mr Gordon being made redundant.

Mrs Ackerman came to Britain in September 2013 but the following February she received the shock news that although the family could stay, Mrs Ackerman's application had been refused.

An appeal also proved unsuccessful so the family hired barrister Jan Doerfel, who has successfully fought other immigration cases.

The latest application he worked on stressed that there was compelling medical evidence that Mrs Ackerman should stay, as she had been treated for a pulmonary embolism in hospital, depression, and suffered a number of falls in the past year.

Mrs Ackerman also points to her British heritage, which can be traced back to the 12th century as she is a distant relative of King John, James the 1st and Robert the Bruce.

After the application two weeks ago Mrs Ackerman was issued with a letter of bail and at one point ordered to report to the local police station once a month to sign a bail release form.

The 71-year-old is currently living in Lower Broadheath with daughter Candice Gordon, who along with the rest of the family is caring for her.

Mrs Ackerman, who uses crutches to get about the family home, said: "My descendants were British.

"In the refusal notice they said I should go back to South Africa because I know the culture there, and speak the language. But I know the culture, and speak the language better in Britain than I do in South Africa.

"The thought of being all alone in South Africa, it is unthinkable.

"Everytime I hear a car outside, or see a police car I think they are coming for me."

The family barrister is now launching a judicial review into the case, on the basis the Home Office failed to consider the submissions properly including medical reports, as well as refusal a right of appeal.

Mr Doerfel said: "The decision shows once again that it is not the computer who says no or that there is an oversight when it comes to decisions on individual cases but that the whole decision-making is geared towards refusal, irrespective of the consequences."

Mrs Gordon said: "Mum has had two knee replacements and is often unsteady on her feet and has had a few falls which obviously concern us.

"Mum certainly would not be a burden to the British public, we have shown (to the Home Office) that we can care for her.

"Mum’s father fought for King and Crown in the First World War. Does that hold no value or worth?

"My mum is actually Queen Elizabeth's cousin 18 times removed, and yet she is being told 'you can't stay here'.

"It was humiliating for her to wait in line amongst people convicted of crimes to sign a bail release.

"Her home is where her family is, and we are here.

"To us the Home Office has shown that mum is nothing more than a disposable commodity."

"I'm inviting Mr Sajid to come and visit us, and at least hear our case.

Mrs Gordon added that the issue had caused stress for all the family, with her having to put her business up for sale with the worry, and one of her granddaughter's suffering mental health issues for fear her grandmother will be deported.

A Home Office spokesman pointed us in the direction of the immigration rules, which says if a person arrives in the UK with leave as a visitor, they are required to leave the UK and re-apply for entry clearance from abroad.

A person can apply outside of the immigration rules on the basis of family and private life, but must show there would be very significant obstacles to returning to their home country, The spokesman said: "While in the UK as a visitor, Mrs Ackerman applied for leave to remain on the basis of her family, private life.

"This application was refused as it did not meet the requirements of the immigration rules, a decision which was backed up by an independent immigration judge.”