AN AFGHAN asylum seeker last night described his joy at being given another chance to stay in the UK and look after his brother.

Ezatullah Hotak was due to be flown back to Afghanistan on Tuesday night.

But, shortly before take-off, he was dramatically turned back from the runway.

Ezatullah is one of the only people who can communicate with Sifatutullah Hotak, his Newsham Park-based brother, who suffers with learning difficulties.

The pair fled Afghanistan in fear for their lives. Ezatullah arrived here in 2005 and Sifatutullah made it to the UK in the back of a refrigerated lorry in 2008.

They say the Taliban killed both their parents and ransacked and burned their house.

Both fear they would also be killed if they return to Afghanistan.

Sifatutullah’s Merseyside caseworkers pleaded with the authorities to let his brother stay, because they feared he would not cope in British society without Ezatullah.

He has suffered a litany of abuse and neglect since arriving here, and interpreters cannot understand him.

On Tuesday evening, an 11th- hour injunction against Ezatullah’s deportation was secured by his legal team.

Last night, a jubilant Ezatullah, back inside the Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, said: “I was in the bus, but when the bus got near the plane they didn’t take me out to the plane.

“When I left [the asylum removal centre] I was feeling bad, really upset. But when I came back to the house I was really happy.

“I’ve spoken to Sifatutuallah and he was very happy, he was laughing.”

When Ezatullah first arrived in the UK, he thought he would never see his family again.

He was living in south-east London while his claim was processed, when a phone call out of the blue put him back in touch with his brother, who was housed in Liverpool.

Edge Hill-based Asylum Link were trying to get the brothers living nearer each other.

But, on April 13, Ezatullah was detained and accused by the British Government of having fake documents.

The injunction was secured after a court ruled to allow a judicial review into the deportation, which will be held on May 22.

Asylum Link’s Kathleen Fitzpatrick, who is Sifatutullah’s caseworker, said: “I’m so pleased, but it was pretty intense.

“They were getting him on the plane and they were getting the judicial review through.

“It was unbelievable because I don’t think he had much hope left.

“We’re now focusing on getting Ezatullah bail and coming here.”

A UK Border Agency spokeswoman said: “All new evidence and further representations are considered up until the point of removal or departure.

“Consideration is given to individual circumstances and family ties.”