The British immigration service's account of why a Malaysian teenager was denied entry into the country revealed "substantial differences" to that published in the local press.

The British High Commission spokesperson said this today after obtaining information from the immigration service on Nur Hashidayatti Abu Hassan, a 19-year-old who alleged that she was unfairly detained and abused for 15 hours by the authorities at Heathrow Airport last month.

The second secretary for political, economic and public diplomacy, Nicola C Bowling, said it could not reveal specific details but stressed that it was "satisfied that the reasons for refusing her application to enter the United Kingdom for six months were sound".

This was based on "careful interviewing of Nur Hashidayatti, her cousin who was travelling with her, and a male friend of the family", said Bowling in a statement.

Bowling said the "male friend", instead of Nur Hashidayatti's sister as the teenager had claimed, was contacted immediately after the detention.

The detainees were "treated well" and "given access to food and drink", she added.

"The waiting rooms to which passengers are taken in such circumstances are comfortable, often with access to televisions and reading materials, and are not, of course, electrified," said Bowling.

Answers not satisfactory

On Wednesday, malaysiakini reported that Nur Hashidayatti who travelled to England on Feb 23 was deported as the immigration officer rejected her entry on grounds that she failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding her visit.

The teenager said that she planned to be in the country for two weeks to visit and stay with her sister who studies in England.

After being detained, she claimed that she was questioned repeatedly by the officers and put in a room which she believed was wired with electric current while her sister was waiting eagerly outside.

The teenager's mother, Rosnah Onek, yesterday said her daughter was traumatised by and disappointed with the whole incident.

She said she had sent a letter of complaint to the British immigration authorities regarding the matter expressing hope that she and her daughter would be compensated for the experience.

Meanwhile, Bowling today confirmed that the letter sent by Rosnah has been received and it has been forwarded it to the immigration authorities which will investigate and reply to the letter.

"Nur Hashidayatti is free to do the same [send a letter of complaint], should she wish," she said.

British High Comm awaits official reasons for teen's denial of entry