Update: 5:52PM THE Fiji government has overturned a removal order issued against 76-year-old social worker Father Kevin Barr less than 24 hours after it was issued.
The initial removal order was issued yesterday-labelling the Catholic Priest a prohibited immigrant and giving him until tomorrow to leave the country.
However a Ministry of Information statement released today said the government had reconsidered its position.
After representations were made to the Prime Ministers office, which were then followed by a discussion between the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration, the Minister for Immigration has withdrawn the declaration of Father Kevin Barr as a prohibited immigrant under section13(2)(g) of the Immigration Act 2003, the statement said.
Consequentially, the removal order issued against Father Kevin Barr by the Permanent Secretary of Immigration has also been withdrawn.
Father Barr will now be allowed to stay in the country until his work permit expires at the end of the year- at which time it will be reviewed.