A TAVISTOCK businessman who was deported to Turkey after pleas to let him stay failed has received an appointment to have his case heard at the British Embassy.

Ali Ademoglu, who had been in the UK for five years and who feared he would be killed if he returned to his own country, was deported earlier this month after his application for asylum was rejected.

A member of the minority group of Alevitish Kurds, Mr Ademoglu ran a kebab shop in Tavistock and has a three-year-old son, Felix, with his English partner, Alison Shearer.

A campaign to halt his deportation was launched by West Devon MP John Burnett and calls to let him stay were made by leading figures in Tavistock.

His partner Alison, who lives at Lamerton, said Ali had received an appointment for a formal interview at the British Embassy in Turkey to get a fiancé visa on August 6.

She said Ali was currently in hiding but he was safe and well: ?We speak to him most days and try to remain upbeat for Felix?s sake,? she said.

Mr Burnett said he had a long phone call with the head of the visa department at the British Consulate in Turkey.

?He knows exactly what the score is now,? he said.

?He will ensure Ali?s case will be expedited and will make sure he is not exposed to the scrutiny of the Turkish police authorities.?

Alison Shearer said she was very grateful to John Burnett for his help in trying to get Ali back into the UK.