Supporters of Iraqi tailor Warza Mirza are sending a second batch of letters to Westminster to persuade the Home Office to allow him to stay in Bradford.

And they are urging ministers: Don't lose them this time!

They hope new Immigration Minister Des Brown will review the case and are compiling a new dossier backing Mr Mirza.

A previous bid failed after the Home Office admitted a petition, video and letters of support had gone missing.

Now friends and campaigners are now rushing together another batch of letters hoping for a change of heart. Raymond Lister, who runs the tailor's shop where Mr Mirza worked, in Westgate, Bradford, said: "The Home Office admitted they had lost our documentation so it is only fair they look at it again.

"If we are prepared to do it again they should be prepared to consider it. And this time we shall take copies. If Warza could get his work permit reinstated pending a decision that would be something."

Mr Mirza had to quit his job when his asylum appeal failed. If he had continued to work Mr Lister could have been prosecuted.

The tailor fled Iraq after he was hunted by extremists for supporting an exhibition called "Freedom of Women".

Even though former dictator Saddam Hussein has gone, the extremists are still active and Mir Mirza still fears for his life.

Supporter Jean Robinson, of Clayton, said she was annoyed at the "sheer injustice" of it all. She said: " I have read stories about an asylum seeker in Kent who has been stealing from the community but they say his crimes are too petty to affect his asylum application and he is still here after four years.

"Warza has been working here and deserves to stay. The sheer injustice of his case makes me very angry."