A lesbian previously facing fast-track deportation to a homophobic country has been granted asylum by the Home Office.

Flora Seggane of Francis Road, Leyton fled Uganda and moved to the UK in 2002 on a two year working visa after being disowned by her family and 'outed' by the community because of her sexuality.

The 55 year-old has now been released from Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) following an interview to determine her application to seek asylum, with the Home Office on Tuesday.

Ms Seggane is “very pleased” she has been granted leave to remain in the UK with refugee status until April 2019 and can now be re-united with her partner Lulu Mgonja from Walthamstow.

"I'm just so happy and excited to see her," said Ms Mgonja.

Activist Ray Harvey-Amer of LBGT campaign group Raindows Across Borders said Ms Seggane had a strong case.

"Its great news that Flora has now been released from Yarl’s Wood and has been granted leave to stay in the UK.

"She had a strong evidenced case not to be returned to Uganda a dangerous place for lesbians & gay men. 

"Her case was strong. There was no acceptable or logical reason for the UK Home Office to hold her on fast track deportation at Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre prior her being granted asylum in the UK."

MP for Leyton and Wanstead John Cryer was informed about Flora's plight by the LGBT group and has welcomed the recent decision.

"I am pleased that Flora has been granted Asylum. I know this must have been a terrible ordeal for her and her close family and friends.

"I am relieved that the Home Office have seen sense and made the decision on merits of the case to grant Flora asylum," said Mr Cryer.

After her visa expired in 2004, Ms Seggane did not seek asylum as she was too afraid to seek help from Africans in the UK, and did not realise her sexuality could be grounds for her to be granted leave to remain in London.

The Home Office has said it does not comment on individual cases, but added "the UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need it and we consider every claim for asylum on its individual merits."