VOICES EXCLUSIVE
A BRITISH mother-of-four who was forced to leave Turkey this week over work permit issues has launched a scathing attack on British expats “whose gossiping caused her life hell”.
Jill Robinson, who ran Altinkum Premier Cleaning and Maintenance, was issued with a 30-day deportation notice, fined 765TL, and the business fined 7,500TL after authorities discovered she was working without a work permit – she believed she didn’t need.
She left last Monday evening to fly back to Newcastle from Bodrum with her children Sami 11 years, Dylan 8 years, two-year-old Ella and 11-month-old Deniz.
She and her partner Servet made the heart breaking decision to pull the children out of school and to live temporarily in different countries until she had resolved a way to head back to Turkey.
Jill and Servet with their family
However, Jill, who is now living with her children in her home town of Washington, near Newcastle, launched a withering attack on British expats who had gossiped behind her back and made unsubstantiated claims about her.
Before flying out of Turkey, she told Voices: “The last few days have been hell, just terrible as the reality begins to sink in that we won’t be a complete family as Servet will have to remain in Turkey.
“It’s been heartbreaking to think that Servet will be missing his children’s birthdays and can’t be with us as he can’t get a visa.”
She added: “But it hasn’t helped that shallow British expats have been thinking up all kinds of horrendous stories about me and the family and why we are leaving.
“They have been suggesting that I have been caught and photographed working illegally and other made up stories. They have been saying nasty things about Servet and me, and that’s just sad.
“A certain element of the British community is really small-minded, bitter and has nothing better to do than just make things up.
“Whatever is being said is just a tissue of lies and fabrication. Yet, none of these spineless people have the ability to say it to my face. It’s all behind your back. To be honest, they are nothing but worthless.”
However, she did reserve a lot of praise for the “quality friends” that had helped the family in its final weeks once the reality of deportation had kicked in. A GoFundMe Page was launched by her friends to raise funds for the family.
She said: “You really do know who you’re friends are in your hour of need when living abroad, and the friends that just give you lip service. Fortunately, I have a wonderful circle of friends, Turkish and British who have really helped us out.
“Nevertheless, I would also like to appeal to foreign business people thinking that they are safe not to fall into the same trap that I fell into. Take my experience as a warning and get themselves legally checked out.”
She was hauled in by Aydin immigration and advised that due to a law change in 2014, foreign business owners should have a work permit. As she didn’t have one, wasn’t aware of the law change and for failing to obtain one, she was kicked out the country she has called home for several years.
Jill, who has lost six kilogrammes in weight since the deportation notice, said: “The reality kicked in when we began packing bags and the final days of schooling for the children. I will miss Servet desperately but this experience will only make us stronger.”
She said that her first appointment to see the Turkish Consulate to discuss her family’s circumstances and working to re-enter the country would begin in earnest in July.
She said: “I know I have been knocked down, but I’ll get back up and come fighting right back if it is only to get the family all back together as one.”