AN ILLEGAL immigrant who married a Sittingbourne woman is being deported to Frankfurt in Germany on Friday.

But the town's MP Derek Wyatt has taken up the fight to keep him here and is determined the couple will be reunited as soon as possible.

Mr Wyatt, who will not reveal their names because he fears a tabloid newspaper backlash over the case, said: "They are in emotional turmoil and I am determined that they will be reunited. "

The man fled Yugoslavia six years ago and arrived in Germany before illegally coming to Sittingbourne where he met a girlfriend and married her in August last year.

"Their marriage certificate is not recognised under the Dublin Convention and they lost their case on appeal to the House of Lords, so he is now treated as an illegal alien," said Mr Wyatt.

"He is now being detained somewhere in London where he is being treated miserably and will be sent back at taxpayers' expense on a flight to Frankfurt where he originally sought political asylum.

"Once there he will formally apply to return so with a fair wind he could be back in 12 weeks. This whole case is costing thousands of pounds and it such a waste of money.

"I know he arrived here illegally in the first place but the spirit of the law should be allowed in this case. I'm afraid I Iost my temper over this with an official in Home Secretary David Blunkett's office.

"I happen to be in business in Munich next Thursday and I have contacted the German ambassador in Berlin to see if we can get this sorted out sooner rather than later.

"The couple's relationship is now under tremendous strain, and he may now lose his job, so I am fighting for them as much as I can."

A Home Office spokesman said: "A marriage certificate is not accepted as proof of residence in this country under the Dublin Convention."