Home Office Reverses Relocation of Vulnerable Diego Garcia Asylum Seeker Away from Vital Cancer Care (4 November 2025)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors successfully represented ABN, an Indian national of Tamil origin and part of the Diego Garcia asylum-seeker cohort, in overturning the Home Office’s decision to relocate him away from essential cancer treatment.

While detained on Diego Garcia in 2023, ABN developed a growth on his hard palate but was denied evacuation despite inadequate medical facilities. After arriving in the UK, his GP urgently referred him to Queen Victoria Hospital under the suspected oral cancer pathway.

Although ABN was initially accommodated near Gatwick Airport within the hospital’s catchment area, the Home Office relocated him to Reading in August 2025 — despite being aware of his ongoing oncology referral and mental health vulnerabilities. He was later diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Duncan Lewis challenged the decision through urgent and supplementary Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) letters, arguing the Home Office had failed to consider ABN’s physical and psychological health needs, including the risk of self-harm and suicide. Following a full reconsideration and expert psychiatric evidence, the Home Office agreed to return ABN to accommodation within the Queen Victoria Hospital catchment area to ensure continuity of care.

ABN was represented by Morgane Drian Delplanque, Senior Caseworker in the Public Law and Immigration Department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors along with supervising solicitor Deena Gorasia and director Vilash Gami The team specialises in asylum and human rights matters, with particular experience representing vulnerable and detained clients.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a leading national law firm recognised for its work in public law, immigration, and human rights. The firm regularly represents vulnerable individuals in complex judicial reviews and challenges against public authorities, ensuring access to justice and protection of fundamental rights.