This is rather long but I hope you will read it.
Nelson Shardey, age 74, is a Ghanaian man who came to the UK nearly 50 years ago to study accountancy. When there was a coup in Ghana his family were unable to continue supporting him so he worked so he could continue his studies.
He worked for well-known firms such as Mother's Pride, Mr Kipling Cakes and Bendincks.
No-one ever queried his right to stay and work here. He paid his taxes.
Later on he ran a newsagent's, married and had a family. His sons went to university here and both have good jobs.
Mr Shardey bought a house after obtaining a mortgage.
He has performed jury service, and in 2007 was given a police award for bravery after tackling a robber who was attacking a delivery man with a baseball bat.
He never applied for a British passport as he never went abroad until 2019 when he wanted to go to Ghana after his mother died.
That's when his troubles started because the Home Office said he had no right to be in the UK.
Officials told him to apply for the 10-year route to settlement.
By that time, even if granted, he will be 84.
Over the 10 years it costs about £7,000, with a further £10,500 over the same period to access the NHS.
"I cannot afford to pay any part of the money they are asking," said Mr Shardey, who is recovering from prostate cancer."
Mr Shardey made a mistake in believing he did not need to apply for settlement here and no-one, not the HMRC, the CJA, the banks ever advised him otherwise.
This man has been an asset to our country, a man to admire.
Surely the Home Office should use some common sense and grant him British citizenship as a matter of urgency?
We need rules but there must be some way round this ridiculousness.
