Jody Cleaver, an artist from Melbourne, said she had planned to stay with a friend in Leeds to explore the countryside, as part of her travel through Europe before immigration officials detained her, believing she intended to "prolong her stay" in the UK.
“They asked if I had printed CVs in my bag," she posted on Facebook. "Like it was 1992.”
In a deportation notice, British immigration authorities said she had not provided enough evidence that she was a “genuine visitor” to the UK, and she was deported back to Rome.
"You intend to stay with your friend…in Leeds, and you intend to look after her dogs, help her redecorate her house in Leeds and sight-see in Leeds,” smh.com.au quoted the notice as saying.
"I note you have been unable to state what you intend to see in Leeds ... I am satisfied that this does not represent the actions of a genuine visitor to the United Kingdom but rather a means to prolong your stay in the United Kingdom."
Ms Cleaver said while she had not booked an onward flight, the immigration official did not consider all evidence such as her notebook which showed she had planned tourist activities during her time in the UK.
“They photocopied my notebook with list of trip planning which had 'jobs to do' at the top followed by 'book flight, bus, museum etc’.
She said one immigration official, who interviewed her over the course of seven hours did not listen to her and then accused her of lying.
"He was writing incorrect information down from the start. I told him our communication wasn't clear and he became very angry," she said.
“Seems very ironic I would get a warm welcome from Italy rather than my old family country especially as I haven't ever been there but there you go.”
The UK Home Office has been contacted for comment.
