Refugee appeal dismissed

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal on behalf of a four-year-old girl who it was claimed would be subjected to female genital mutilation if she had to go to Nigeria following her mother’s failed application for refugee status.

A refugee applications commissioner refused asylum and the mother later sought to challenge the decision in the High Court but was refused leave.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Peter Charleton rejected the mother’s argument that the High Court was incorrect in striking out the application.