No asylum for Saddam relative

An immigration appeal court has rejected a bid by Saddam Hussein's brother-in-law to claim asylum in Britain, it emerged today.

In a statement issued by the Department of Constitutional Affairs, the Immigration Appellate Authority confirmed a court in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, had refused an appeal by Emad Noures against a decision to deny him asylum.

The brief statement read: "Adjudicator Kenneth Gillance would like to make it clear that the asylum appeal of Mr Emad Noures and family was dismissed (refused) on both asylum and human rights grounds.

"Mr Noures had a hearing at the Stoke Immigration Appellate Authority hearing centre on October 23, 2003."

It is understood that Mr Noures's wife is the sister of the captured Iraqi dictator's second wife.

The disclosure follows concerns expressed by Stoke-on-Trent Central Labour MP Mark Fisher, who tabled a question in Parliament in January demanding to know the outcome of the hearing.

The Court Service, Home Office and Mr Noures's solicitors had all refused to reveal the result of the appeal, insisting the matter was confidential.

It is not known whether Mr Noures, who is married with an 18-year-old daughter, has left the UK or is seeking a further challenge to the ruling.