A BRITISH millionaire said yesterday he was prepared to leave Britain if the Home Office insists on deporting a former Nepalese mountain boy he regards as his adopted son.
A Home Office immigration appeals tribunal was to rule whether Mr Jayaram Khadka (19), must return to his homeland, or be allowed to remain in Britain with businessman, Mr Richard Morley, who brought him to the country seven years ago.
Mr Morley (42), a childless widower, said he was not optimistic that the Home Office would reverse the deportation order it issued against the boy II months ago.
In 1984 Mr Morley fell gravely ill with a collapsed lung while on a trekking holiday in the Himalayas. Jayaram's father, village policeman, Mr Basu Khadka, ran for three days to bring back medical help that saved Mr Morley's life.
The businessman was airlifted to safety and, after recovering, he asked the policeman how he could repay him, and the answer was simple look after his son should anything happen to him. He agreed, and four years later, when the policeman died of a heart attack, Mr Morley returned and brought the boy back to Britain where he has cared for him as his own son, educating him and making him legal heir to his home and £1.5 million estate.
However, an irregularity in Jayaram's Nepalese passport has blocked Mr Morley's efforts to legally adopt the boy and the Home Office finally issued a deportation order because he had no residence permit.
"I see myself as English and I am hopeful we will be given justice, however I understand it is the Home Office that has the final say whether I stay here or not," Mr Khadka said yesterday.