- Simone Carmen Johnson was informed that her relationship does not meet conditions
A woman who was refused permission to move to the UK to join her two male lovers so they can continue their “loving family” has vowed to take legal action against the British government if the decision is not overturned.
Simone Carmen Johnson, from South Africa, had applied for an unmarried partner visa to qualify for travel to Britain in February so the three of them could be together.
Her lovers, Tao Settembrini (formerly known as Rochelle Settembrini) and Larissa Settembrini, already live there and are waiting for her to join them.
However, her application was officially rejected on June 26. The visa allows unmarried long-term partners of British or Irish citizens to stay with them in the UK and applies to both heterosexual and same-sex relationships.
However, in her rejection letter to Johnson she was informed that their relationship does not meet the required conditions, which she claims is discriminatory towards her situation.
Simone Carmen Johnson (right) is pictured alongside her two lovers Tao Settembrini (left) and Larissa Settembrini (center)
Johnson noted that while unusual in the UK, polygamy is legal in South Africa and immigration rules do not strictly prohibit him from obtaining a partner visa.
He complains that the rejection constitutes a violation of his basic human rights, guaranteed by Article 8 of the European Convention.
LGBTQ+ rights advocates have also reportedly called the decision based on outdated views on family and relationships.
Insisting that it was an unfair decision, Johnson decided to reapply and urged immigration officials to reconsider.
In her second request, she wrote: “The denial implies a lack of evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship. This assessment does not take into account the unique dynamics of polygamous relationships.”
Gwen Vermeulen, senior director of immigration and British nationality at Move Up UK Visa Solutions, said the refusal not only devastated a loving family, but also raised worrying questions about the UK’s commitment to human rights and equality.
Vermeulen said: “We urge the UK Home Office to reconsider this decision and recognise the validity of diverse family structures.”
Vermeulen added that there were pre-existing precedents that would allow Johnson’s request to be accepted.
Vermeulen said that if they were denied access a second time, they would take the case to the appropriate court.
Tribunals are judicial bodies that operate independently of the courts, but which perform judicial functions. They deal with specific types of disputes, such as labour disputes and, in this case, immigration issues.
MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment.
