THE Home Office has today stood by its decision to cut off funding to an Iranian family living in Southampton who are fighting deportation.

A spokesman said that immigration officials had to protect "the integrity" of the country's asylum system.

"We are committed to providing protection for those asylum seekers who can show they are in need.

"We also need to protect the integrity of our immigration system."

Khalil Khameneh, 62, wife Lisa, 49 and daughter Ariana, 18, who came to Britain three years ago are pictured right. They live in Briarswood, Shirley, but have been ordered to leave the country by January 25 in a letter from the Home Office.

They have also had the £97 weekly allowance they receive cut because Khalil and Lisa no longer have any dependent children, as their daughter Ariana turned 18 last week.

After the family lost their appeal to stay in England in 2004 they said they would lodge another appeal. However, according to Home Office records there is no further appeal pending.

The family and their supporters insist they should be allowed to stay because Khalil and Lisa are both blind and Lisa has chronic heart and lung problems.

They have also said if they return to their country, they will be tortured and may face death because they are converts to Christianity.

Lisa said: "Nobody should be made to suffer like this."

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead said he regretted there was no new application submitted to the Home Office for the family to stay.

He said: "I have always been very supportive of the careful consideration of the Khamenehs' case.

"But unless a case is being actively considered by the Home Office then the procedures for withdrawing funding will follow."