“Alois Dvorzac  an 84-year-old Canadian man has died after becoming ill at Harmondsworth IRC. He was said to be "extremely distressed" before being rushed to hospital on Sunday 10th February. He died later that day in hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

The United Kingdom Borders Agency refused to confirm or deny the death and would not say why Dvorzac was in detention. The Canadian high commission in London said they were aware of reports of a Canadian who was detained in London and had since died. A spokeswoman said the high commissioner in London was in contact with the local authorities. She added: "Due to the Privacy Act, no additional information can be released at this time." It was a "sad case", she said.   The centre is managed by the private company GEO on behalf of UKBA. It is the largest immigration detention centre in Europe. "

Read more: Eric Allison, guardian.co.uk, 19/02/13

We are holding our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 6th March at 7.00pm.

In April 2013 there will be signficant cuts to legal aid which will affect many of our clients and particularly those in immigration detention who are facing removal/deportation.

We are delighted to welcome Alison Harvey who is the General Secretary of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) who will inform us of what we can expect post April 2013.

The venue is All Saints Church, Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 4BT.  The car parking adjacent to the church does incur charges after 6pm, however, there is free street parking after 6pm in surrounding streets.

Please see the flyer for the event.

Thanks to you all for your continued and loyal support to HVG and to our clients.  In the light of cuts, they will continue to need us more than ever.

We hope to see you on the 6th March.

22 HOURS PER WEEK £20,000 PRO RATA

SUBJECT TO CONTINUED FUNDING – 6 months offered in first instance

Closing date:  Friday 22 February 2013
Interview date: Monday 4th March 2013
 
Please see job description and person specification.

To apply: please send a CV and covering letter addressing the person specification and outlining the hours you will be available.

Send applications to:  [email protected] or by post to

Haslar Visitors Group, All Saints Centre, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 4BT.