The former British au pair, Ms Louise Woodward, will return to Britain early today. The Superior Court in Massachusetts allowed her lawyer to collect her passport yesterday, writes Rachel Donnelly in London.
The move paved the way for Ms Woodward to fly back to Britain on the first available flight where it is expected she will receive a joyous reception from her family and supporters in Elton, Cheshire. At about midday, US time, Ms Woodward's lawyer, Mr Andrew Good, confirmed that he had collected her passport and said he hoped she would fly back to Britain within hours.
Ms Woodward's legal team in Britain said she wanted to return home to start a normal life. Mr Paul Barrow, a lawyer with Quinn Melville, said: "She will be returning to her family and friends and an immediate statement will be issued by her at that stage as to her future intentions. Louise and her family would like to place on record their thanks for all the support they are continuing to receive."
Ms Woodward's return to Britain is, however, surrounded by controversy about whether she or her family will attempt to sell their story to the British newspapers. While the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the conviction for the manslaughter of Matthew Eappen and the time served by Ms Woodward, the Eappen family has filed a civil lawsuit against her for compensation for the death of their son. Yesterday a Bodton judge issued a temporary order barring Ms Woodward from selling her story.
Legal experts believe the injunction will be unenforceable in the British courts, but Ms Woodward and her family are facing a financially crippling lawsuit.