NEWS that a woman has been granted a visa to stay in Abergavenny to care for her husband has been welcomed by her MP.

Leah Waterman’s husband Simon, a former member of the Royal Military Police, was left needing around the clock care after suffering a stroke while working in the Philippines in 2015.

The couple, along with their two children, were set to visit family in Wales over the Christmas period but Mr Waterman’s condition halted their plans.

A decision was made to return to the UK permanently so that Mr Waterman could receive family support and the medical care he needed.

But Mrs Waterman found that her visa application had been refused earlier this summer and she had been told to return to the Philippines to reapply – leaving her husband and children behind.

The family’s plight was picked up by Monmouth MP David Davies, who began talks with Home Office officials to reverse the decision.

Following a meeting with fellow MP Brandon Lewis, the minister for immigration, the application was reviewed and eventually Mrs Waterman was granted her visa.

Mr Davies, who delivered the news to the family home, said: “I fully understand why there are rules in place following widespread abuse of the immigration system. However, there should be room for flexibility in special circumstances and I have no doubt this is an exceptional case.

“I was pleased to meet with the Immigration minister within hours of requesting a meeting to discuss the details of the case.

“Once he had reviewed the paperwork I gave him, I received a telephone call from the Home Office confirming that Mrs Waterman’s visa had now been approved.

“I’m very pleased to have a satisfactory outcome and I wish Mr and Mrs Waterman all the best in the future.”