A disabled British pensioner who ran up more than $400,000 in hospital fees was back in the UK today after finally being deported last night.

Wheelchair-bound John Godbert, 67, flew home on the British Airways flight after 17 years in Bermuda and an on-off saga surrounding his right to stay on the Island.

Hospital orderlies escorted him to Bermuda International Airport until he checked in to board the delayed flight to London Gatwick, which took off at 7.40 p.m.

The Royal Gazette understands divorced Mr. Godbert, who was unemployed for the last two-and-a-half years, got on the Boeing 777 without any fuss and is now planning a mission to find two long-lost daughters he has not heard from in ten years.

But he has left Bermudian taxpayers with a $375,000 bill following three years in and out of hospital for treatment to his leg ulcers.

He spent 18 months in hospital during his longest stint but his insurers, BF&M, only have to pay $25,000 of the fees because of Government subsidies for the elderly.

Shadow Health Minister Renee Webb criticised a decision by former Immigration Minister Quinton Edness to grant Mr. Godbert a one-month reprieve in mid-April.

Mr. Edness said he granted the stay so Mr. Godbert could settle up his affairs in Bermuda.

But Mr. Godbert was first told late last year that he would have to be deported back home.

New Immigration Minister Maxwell Burgess said last night: "The previous Minister gave him until May 12 and it's my information he should be leaving on the British Airways flight this evening.

"If that is not accomplished, then clearly Mr. Godbert would be in Bermuda illegally and we would then have to take extra steps.'' Mr. Godbert was escorted from his hospital bed at King Edward's Memorial Ward to a taxi waiting outside at around 5.45 p.m.

He was driven to the airport with two orderlies who stayed with him until he checked in. It emerged last month that his hospital fees had climbed to an astronomical $383,000 -- and would rise above the $400,000 mark by the time he left the Island. Ms Webb said last night: "I wish him the best and I hope we have been able to find somebody in the UK to make sure he will be taken care of.

"But the Bermuda taxpayer cannot afford this. Government shot itself in the foot by allowing him to stay much longer than he should have been here.

"It had become apparent a long time ago that it was inevitable he had to leave.

"But in the UK, he will get a pension and they take care of their elderly.

"From a humanitarian standpoint, it would be great if we could take care of people like this here.

"But unfortunately we have to look out for our own Bermudian people and we can't afford to have those here on work permits to run up $400,000 in hospital bills.'' Welshman Mr. Godbert, who lived at Sofar Close, St. George's, lost touch with his daughters following a messy divorce.

He spent his years on the Island as an electrician but was laid off from his job in September 1995. Mr. Edness said last month that Government officials had already contacted social services in Britain to arrange for treatment on his return.

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