Tonight:
4°c
A Saudi Arabian princess who had a baby with a British man has been granted refugee status in the UK to protect her from the death penalty.
The woman, married to an elderly member of the Saudi royal family, told a judge that her adulterous affair meant she would be stoned to death if she returned home.
She has been granted anonymity by the courts and her case has not been openly acknowledged by the British or Saudi governments, which fear that to do so would cause an unnecessary rift between the nations.
British diplomats claim her situation would be interpreted as open criticism of the country's royal family.
An Immigration and Asylum tribunal heard how the woman, who comes from a wealthy Saudi family, met her English boyfriend - who is not a Muslim - during a visit to London. The following year she gave birth in Britain.
The court heard that if she returned to the Gulf state she and the baby would be subject to capital punishment under Sharia law.
Reader views (28)
I know this lady very good..by the way she know in uk living very good not as the most imagin
- Heba, uk, 15/10/2009 22:15
Report abuse
She should have gone back. Why is it acceptable for audlters to get safe haven in our country?...She did wrong, simple as that. If she was so in love then why did she go back to Saudi? why isnt the man on the scence? obviously she was gullabile to believe a man would be really intrested in her except to boast about to his friends he had a relationship with a Saudi princess. And he is not even on the scene. Stupid lady. Nothing wrong in Saudi Islamic laws, at least it deters ppl from rape, adultery, crime, single Mothers,sexual dieases etc all high in our so called civlised western world. She should be made an example of. I dont mean killing the lady but some sort of puninshment. Now everybody will want live here after breaking their country rules. Well done Britain!.
- Sarah, Barking, 05/10/2009 11:29
Report abuse
I agree with granting asylum to this individual. I wholly disagree with the underhanded way this disgusting deceitful government have handled the situation by keeping it quite.
Saudi Arabia have a filthy influence over this government, they import the terrible form of Wahhabi Islam a fundamentalist view that preaches all people other than Muslims must die. They fund Mosques here in London and supply them with fundamentalist literature.
This pathetic government turn a blind eye to the whole affair and allow terror cells to form in this country as a result.
A Christian is not even allowed to wear a simple crucifix in Saudi Arabia. Yet the Saudis are importing their extremist brand Islam whole scale into the heart of our Christian society.
Pathetic Labour government.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Well, this is one I certainly approve of, makes a change though doesn’t it. Good one.Have a nice stay sister!
- Robie, Lewes Uk, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
I see Frank is at it again, uninformed polemic is his trade mark, he forgets that the £40b bribe to Saudi was instigated by a Tory Gov. and that Thatchers mindless twerp of a son made millions out of Saudi and Gillian Walton, are you really suggesting that we allow an assassin to enter the country and murder this woman and her baby? if so I hope he mistakes you for her, you sicko. Mind you you do live in Dover, the hole of the world.
- Kerry, Purley, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Chishty - I think you'll find most people love coming to the UK to claim asylum, so that they can get a nice house, and a weekly allowance off the backs of hard working people like me. France, Germany, and Spain are safe countries, but of course they wouldn't get the same perks.
- Jock, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
We are already overloaded with freeloaders whose excuses for claiming asylum are an insult to us all.
EDITED by admin @ 8.29 on July 21 2009
Spirit/Tone
- Gillian Walton, Dover, Kent, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
THIS IS THE HIGH MORAL VALUES OF THE BRITIAN TO PROVIDE THE SHELTER ON THE NAME OF HUMAN DIGNITY.THIS IS THE REASON PEOPLES LOVE UK, FREEDOM OF THE SOCIETY.
Well done Immigration and Asylum tribunal. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU TO LOOK AFTER THE MANKIND.
- Chishty, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
the saudi is the worst system in arabs world one think theyr not muslim a real muslim never his brother or other muslim dies hungry only poor poeple paid the price they do anything they want like a dog and slave exist in Saudi still never end
- Joe, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Of course its a sad story, but I don't think its the place of our Government to protect someone that breaks the laws of her own country. She knew the consequences of her actions and now she should take those consequences.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Can we really afford to take in all those who suffer at the hands of this backward country? The sooner we end our reliance on oil and stop buggering about in the middle east the better.
- Gary, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
It's not first time a princess seeks refugee asylum in Europe, specially in UK. But it seems this particular princess is smart she actually connected the dots and so far it's working for her. The question is when will Saudi Arabia's Sheikhs going to get the message that all the princesses s are some how oppressed and are looking a way out regardless of all the wealth they have, and soon there will be none princess left in Saudi Arabia. In fact, these women don't even want to get married to an old-prince who's probably 30 or 50 years older,it's obvious (no-arrangement-marriage). The reality, the life style of these princess; I don't think an-ordinary person can keep up with these princess whether you're British or whatever, also, once they leave their country on their own wish, they don't have access to Al-Saud wealth any more, so what are they going to do live on welfare...lol
- Nabb, Richardson, Texas, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Lets not forget this woman now has a child with a British man, this child is half-British so yes she should get asylum.
Kerry
you may not like the way Frank presents his comments but much of what he says is true.
Cheap dig at Thatcher BTW. What else nearly 20years after leaving office is she at fault for?
- Russell, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Well done Immigration. This girl deserves all the protection we can offer her. For those who object, imagine what it was like for her - living a life with no freedom for women (she was married at 14 to a 75 year-old man) in an ultra-strict oppressive society where only last year a woman was sentenced to 200 lashes for being gang-raped (the sentence was eventually commuted). Who can object with a clear conscience to her bid for freedom?
- Pb, london, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Well Russell of London where would you like me to start? how about the destruction of our manufacturing industry, or our educational system. The systematic dismantling of our infrastructure and the selling off to foreign companies whilst her and her friends trousered the cash?
My problem with Frank is he always blames the Labour government for everything, regardless of what has happened, like he seems to imply the Saudi embrace of Wahabism is Labours fault, and that their (the Saudi) funding of mosques is something shameful! What about the English proclivity of pushing Christianity on an otherwise pagan world, usually at bayonet point! There is no difference between Christianity and islam in their delusional view of the world! Frank seems to think we are a Christian society, the last time I looked about 6% of the country were still deluded enough to believe, and judging by the rascist bigoted garbage I've read on here, people advocating murder of women and children for example, makes me think that figure is too high.
If you are going to engage in debate with me, fine, but I can't figure out your argument.
- Kerry, Purley, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
An exceptionally rich women from Saudi Arabia visits the UK and commits fornication - :O
Saudi is an extremely strict society, when she came to visit here,she would have gotten carried away with the newly-found freedom and subsequently goten off with whoever she could and now has a child.
What a harlot!
- Nav, Aberdeen, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
The filthy, antidemocratic corrupt and cowardly Saudi Royal Family are a discgusting bunch. The fact that they sit on oil seems to make the acceptable however.
Our Queen debased hereslf a couple of years ago by having one of them to dinner.
The thousands of Royal Princes are a drug taking,hard drinking, gambling, prostitute using bunch of pigs. Go to any upmarket London casino and you'll see them throwing champagne down there necks.
Good luck to this woman. Good for her that she found a real man at last. Little suprise it was an Englishman.
- Rick, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Ah Britain a City of Refuge for the worlds flotsum, jetsum and every miscreant known to man.
Saudi is a wonderful place when you have oil interests, but a 'terrible' place when it comes to sending it's own citizens back home.
19 of the Twin Towers murdering terrorists were Saudi brought up in the Wahabi muslim strain. Wonderful land, Saudi.
Let her go home we have no right to interfere in her life choices and consequences. We interfere in far too many areas of the world already
- Chris Williams, Cardiff, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Adultary is a crime in Britain just like how it is in Saudi Arabia, I hope all you retards who defend this whore can expierence the same thing when having your mother or wife getting pregnant with someone else other then your father and the husband.
- Adam, USA, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Adam in the USA
Sounds like your nearest and dearest has been playing ilicit away games. You sound very hurt. She was never your property however so move on mate, there's plenty more fish in the sea.
Zekial in the USA
It's the hand amputating, head chopping stone throwing Saudi ruling elite who are being hypocritical. Every man to his own as long as nobody else gets hurt. You obviously don't see my point. You're American so allowances should be made.
- Rick, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Sorry Adam (USA) ,
I should have corrected you previously. Adultery is not a crime in Britain. Get yourself a better travel guide.
- Rick, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Pls. Rick. What would GREAT BRITIAN be without prostitues. It is the oldest trade in the UK. People from around the world floak to the UK, just to find great prositutes. It is the land of gambling, alcholism, hulgism, prositution, fish & chips. So please, before you taking the moral high ground and condem other peoples and nations; take a look in the mirror first. Thank You.
- Zekial, USA, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
I do not think we should condone adultery under any circumstances or anywhere in the world. When one is married, he/she should respect that relationship and adhere to its universal morale.
There is one question of two parts though: how did she know that the father of her baby is this Britain and not her husband, the Saudi prince? Did she make DNA tests?!
- Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
I think this is a sad situation. Of course when you are married you should not have an affair, you should just get divorced if you are unhappy. But we don't know the full situation so we shouldn't comment on that. Only God can judge this woman, and I hope that God helps her in her new life. As a Muslim, I have respect for all people and religions and I think ALL have the right to live how they want. In Islam you are not supposed to convert anyone to your religion, and contrary to what people think, woman are equal to men in the Qur'an. Islam itself should not be judged by the behaviour of some Muslims or certain countires. The basis of Islam is respect, tolerance for all humanity. For myself, if you live in a society you should protect the citizens of the country first. I think it is hypocrisy of the British to take this woman, who has obviously had a child by an 'important' British man, when they don't protect their own people (Muslim or not) from being killed, hurt, abused. I would say this of any society. Asulymn itself is good and people should have the right to live in a safe place, and they should integrate, whilst still keeping their own culture. This is a very difficult thing to talk about. This woman should be safe but the British should help their own people too! And I am sorry to say, Britain does accept many people but there is so much racism etc there, it is not the fantastic place people think. I was born there, so was my family so I know what I'm saying.
- Abir, London England, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
It's not first time a princess seeks refugee asylum in Europe, specially in UK. But it seems this particular princess is smart she actually connected the dots and so far it's working for her. The question is when will Saudi Arabia's Sheikhs going to get the message that all the princesses s are some how oppressed and are looking a way out regardless of all the wealth they have, and soon there will be none princess left in Saudi Arabia. In fact, these women don't even want to get married to an old man who's probably 30 or 50 years older,it's obvious (no-arrangement-marriage). The reality, the life style of these princess; I don't think an-ordinary person can keep up with these princess whether you're British or whatever, also, once they leave their country on their own wish, they don't have access to Al-Saud wealth any more...
- Nabb, Richardson, Texas, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Have to say, this is one such case that is warranted. With her family's wealth I'd assume this won't be at a burden to us, the taxpayer (somehow I can't see a Saudi Princess living in some downtrodden housing estate).
I only hope this doesn't open the floodgates to those who see an opportunity to abuse this, But as it's already in the media spotlight, it's now there for all to see and it's likely this will open the floodgates for thousands of bogus claims.
- Scott, London, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
Right on Patricia of Bicester. Would you like to be my pen pal?
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
This woman knew exactly what she was doing and the consequences of her actions. But the British Government see fit to endorse her breaking of the law of her own country. Don't be surprised when she also breaks the laws here - of course she will expect to get away with it - why wouldn't she.
- Patricia, Bicester, Oxfordshire, 05/10/2009 10:29
Report abuse
