A mother and daughter fighting for the right to stay in Glasgow have suffered a major setback.

Florence Mhango and daughter Precious, 10, have lost their judicial review of a Home Office deportation order and face being sent back to Malawi.

The pair, from Cranhill in the East End, have previously been on a plane ready to be sent to the African country, and have been held in detention centres.

They were given fresh hope this year after a judicial review was granted, but yesterday a judge rejected their claim.

Had it been successful, it would have directed the Home Office to review their case, which could have given them leave to remain in the UK.

Ms Mhango, who has also lived in London, but who has been in Glasgow for more than seven years, wants to stay in the city because nowhere has been more welcoming to her and her daughter.

At the High Court in London, Deputy High Court judge Christopher Symons, QC, said they had fitted in well to the community. Local people have been campaigning for them to stay.

Precious – real name Tionge – was one of the last children to be detained at Dungavel Detention Centre, near Strathaven, Lanarkshire before the controversial practice was ended last month by the new UK Government.

The girl, who came to the UK aged three and cannot speak Malawi’s native language, Chichewa, appeared to have done well at all her schools, the court heard.

Their immigration status was put at risk when Ms Mhango separated from Precious’ father and this led to the Home Office decision to deport them.

The judge said they had become settled “and clearly enjoy their life in the UK and are very anxious not to have that disrupted.”

However, Precious’ success and popularity weighed against her as the judge ruled it would not be disproportionate or unduly harsh to send her back to Malawi, even though it was a country she did not know.

The judge said he accepted the child’s removal would cause some disruption, but added: “She has shown herself to be adaptable and I have little doubt she will make as much a success of her life there as she has here.

“It is to Tionge’s credit she appears to have done well at all her schools and fitted in well with other children.”

Glasgow MSP Anne McLaughlin has been working with Ms Mhango and campaigned for her to be allowed to stay. She said: “No-one is giving up. The legal team are looking at the options and the possibility of an appeal.

“I think people would be horrified if they were to be deported. Precious is a Glasgow girl and does not know anywhere else as home.”

Ms McLaughlin said the Scottish Govern­ment’s minister for constitutional affairs had agreed to look into it.

She added: “Fiona Hyslop has agreed to speak to the Home Secretary Theresa May about this.”

Ms Mhango fears if they are forced to go back to Malawi she will lose her daughter.

Although separated from Precious’ father, a local law allows the father’s family the right to custody of children.

Last November, the Mhangos were taken to Dungavel, where they faced deportation back to Malawi after a Home Office meeting.

They had boarded a flight at Heathrow, when news of their reprieve came through.

Officials took them from the plane and straight to Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, Bedfordshire, pending fresh legal action.

They have since returned to Cranhill, where Precious attends the local primary school and both are involved in local churches.