A failed asylum seeker was deported on Tuesday night despite an ongoing investigation into allegations she was raped.

The woman from Nigeria alleged that she was raped on February 16.

A man was arrested and has been released on bail until July 11.

Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, had called on the Home Office to defer her deportation until the investigation was over.

He said: “The handling of this case is a cause for concern.

“It’s a very sad story. We all accept that if people are in breach of immigration rules, then they can immediately face being sent back.

“But in her case, she said she had been trafficked here, she had not properly had the chance to put her legal case forward and she said she had been the victim of a rape.”

Sian Evans, spokesman for Women Against Rape, said: “We think this is a complete scandal.

“Whatever the outcome, she should have been allowed to stay until justice was done.”

She added: “The woman rang a colleague as she was being taken to the plane and said it was like she was being taken to her death. She was weeping and completely broke down.”

Thames Valley Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said: “If any charges are brought or it is deemed necessary for the investigation, arrangements will be made to facilitate her return to the UK.”

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: “There is no legal basis for her to remain in the UK and therefore removal is appropriate.”