McDowell in deportation climbdown

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell does not remember if he read the file of Nigerian student Olunkunle Elunkanlo before deciding to deport him in controversial circumstances.

The minister announced a major climbdown yesterday, admitting he had been wrong to send Mr Elunkanlo back to Nigeria and that he was revoking the deportation order.

"The best thing to do in the circumstances was to stop digging and to do the right thing and to let him come back," Mr McDowell said.