Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

WATCH: The emotional moment Black Watch soldier is reunited with teenage daughter after immigration fight

A delighted Black Watch soldier serving at Fort George was at last reunited with his teenage daughter amid emotional scenes at Inverness Airport last night .

After a tumultuous five months battling the Home Office, Lance Corporal Denis Omondi, a British citizen originally from Kenya, finally got to hug and kiss 14-year-old Ann after she finally flew into the Highland capital.

The soldier was joined by his wife Shelagh and extended family as he ran to greet the teenager as she walked through the arrivals’ lounge just before 6.30pm.

Denis, beaming a huge smile as a gave Ann a massive hug, said: “I love you. This is just fantastic.”

L/Cpl Omondi, who has undertaken tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Cyprus during his eight years’ service, applied for his daughter to join him and wife Shelagh in Inverness last year.

The visa application was initially rejected, despite the soldier having uncontested custody, with UK officials claiming he had not spent enough time at home in Scotland.

However, following a Home Office review and considerable local and national outrage, they overturned the decision earlier this month.


>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter


Speaking outside the airport terminal, Denis, Shelagh and Ann thanked all those who had supported their cause, especially “the fantastic people of Scotland and the Highlands”.

Ann, obviously tired after travelling 18 hours from Nairobi, via Gatwick, with Shelagh’s mother Sandra – and also “overwhelmed” by the media attention – smiled as she said she was “happy” to be back in her father’s arms and “had so many dreams” to live out now she is in Scotland.

Denis said: “I can’t believe it, but I have achieved what I have always wanted. At last I know she is safe.

“This has been a very tough time for our family and we are delighted to finally have Ann with us.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support given by so many to a Commonwealth military family and we hope that this will encourage other families in similar situations to continue their fight.”

He added that the plan was now to take Ann back to her new home, have something to eat and show the teenager her new bedroom.

His wife Shelagh added: “It was a ridiculous decision to reject her application, but it is something hundreds of Commonwealth soldiers are battling – not just Denis – to be reunited with their families.”

L/Cpl Omondi had visited Ann in Kenya every year since 2012, when he first became aware that she was his child.

After the application was rejected, he appealed and he and his wife, who is recovering from breast cancer, sought help from Highland MP Drew Hendry.

Mr Hendry has led the campaign to reunite the family secured and was at Inverness Airport last night to see the emotional reunion.

He said: “We were all really excited to finally meet Ann in person and to see her reunited with her dad and Shelagh.

L/Cpl Denis Omondi and his wife Shelagh.

“It’s an incredible case that has gone from heartbreak to heart-warming.

“It has really caught the attention of the public and rallied their support.

“As the work goes on to tackle the hostile immigration environment created by the UK Government, we can all join in the joy of this event and wish this Highland soldier’s family a happy future together.

“I am absolutely delighted for Denis, Shelagh and Ann.

“The past months have been incredibly difficult for them and at least now they can look forward to the future and finally be together as a family.”

Ann had attended private school in Kenya, but is now hoping to enrol with Millburn Academy.

A Home Office spokesman said: “All applications are considered on their individual merits.

“Following the submission of additional information and a review of Mr Omondi’s case we are satisfied that the application now meets the immigration rules.”