AN HIV asylum seeker's fight against deportation to Rwanda has been backed by Manchester council.

The 43-year-old woman, who has asked to be identified only by the name Mahoro, has been refused leave to remain in Britain.

Now council leader Sir Richard Leese has written to immigration minister Phil Woolas in her support, describing her as a model citizen.

Councillors passed a resolution tabled by Marc Ramsbottom, leader of the town hall's Liberal Democrats, to support her campaign to stay.

Mahoro, who lives in south Manchester, is originally from Rwanda and contracted HIV after being raped by a soldier in an attack linked to the country's ethnic conflict.

She found she was HIV positive two months before moving to Manchester. She fears that if she goes back to Rwanda she will not be able to get the treatment she needs and will be targeted by her husband's murderers.

She said: "When I moved to south Manchester and started going to church I made friends and began getting a lot of support."

Mahoro is an active volunteer in community organisations including the George House Trust, which supports people with HIV.

Sir Richard's letter described how the council 'passed a unanimous resolution recognising that it would be inhuman to deport' Mahoro and urges Mr Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, to exercise his discretion.

Earlier this year, Withington MP John Leech made Mahoro's case in Prime Minister's Question Time, and last month she addressed parliament herself.

Coun Ramsbottom said: "Mahoro is a model citizen in lots of ways."

For more information visit holyinnocentsfallowfield.org.uk