'I’ve Been Told I’m Not A British Citizen & Need To Pay To Stay In The UK’ | This Morning

Retired 74-year-old newsagent Nelson Shardey has spent most of his life in the UK, but now almost 50 years after he emigrated from Ghana, the Home Office has told him he isn’t a British citizen. Despite the fact Nelson has been paying taxes since 1977, started a family, performed jury service, and even won a bravery award for stopping a robbery, he has been told due to a technicality he faces a costly and lengthy route to remain in the UK. A crowd-funding campaign to help the Wirral local has now amassed almost £40,000, so today Nelson joins us in the studio alongside his son Jacob as he desperately fights to remain in the country he’s called home most of his life.

Broadcast on 22/05/2024

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[Enceladus]

The home office need to concentrate on new arrivals and not people who have been here for 50 years

[yasminogbu]

I’m so glad they’ve given this gentleman a platform to speak ❤️

[preciousjewels]

Jury service and not a citizen? How is that even possible?

[judyrussell]

I am disgusted! Britain is so broken! This man came here in his youth. Worked, paid taxes, national insurance, and that's how he's treated. Nelson, you have every right to remain here. Let me donate to your Go Fund me page.

[martinataylor]

Sorry but i really don't understand how we have people coming in to uk and getting help from the government. And this man has lived here for 50year and ended up having his own business and now they are telling him he's got to go . The world is just messed up. Hope everything works out for him

[StarJoyceAnnAnim]

I have tears in my eyes just listening to Mr Nelson ❤ We love you from Ghana and proud of you!

[sharonmusiimenta]

The love and support the son gives his father speaks volumes ! I feel it’s special

[alisonstuart]

How did he get a NI number?? The Home Office seem to have always been as incompetent as they are now.

[GilbertDenila]

The issue before him is a complicated one. His visa ran out after his failed education and he did not in any way change his status. Though he was able to work and establish a business, he still did not regularise his stay. His being illegal in the UK became a problem when he wanted to travel out of the UK with a plan to return. This is impossible without a valid passport, UK reentry visa or an international travel document from the home office that grants you the ability to do that. The rules are very strict on issues like this. He should be regularise on humanitarian grounds. Period.

[jackiebenjamin]

Does the UK immigration realise that people from British Colonies migrated to the Great Britain with British passports. This is happening to a lot of persons who migrated to Britain, with British passports, even those from the Caribbean and many other countries who are even war veterans . Shame on the UK for not passing some sort of bill to assist these persons. These people helped build the economy of your country for decades and decades and decades their children, grandchildren and great grand are doing the same.

[rutendosarahgukwa]

This is diabolical! This man has done more for the country than probably most Brits. This has to be rectified!

[imhere]

The UK needs good people like him as it is rapidly going down hill.

[marticar]

What a wonderful man. His gentle and kind spirit shines through this interview. Wishing you all the best Nelson. Hope this is resolved quickly for you.

[kayleighwenham]

this is disgusting, how on earth can we be here? the system is so very broke. protect this man at all costs

[elizabethleboho]

He didn't register himself with Home Office after overstaying his student visa. There has been a few amnesties for illigal immigrants, he could have gone through that route . I remember there was amnesty in 2000. Also before 2012 you could also be granted permanent residence after living in the UK for 14 years. His is a special case, he has been in the UK for more than half his life, I think he should be granted permanent residence. He shouldn't blame the government though because he didn't do anything about his situation. Hoping for the best for you Nelson.

[juliehardcastle]

we love you uncle nelson❤the whole of seacombe will do everything we can to help you stay!!! you deserve to STAY!!!

[Faridkhalid-zp]

Most of you people don’t understand, this man deserves everything but one thing your missing is this man never applied for a process to be a citizenship what he thought in his mind was being here for 50 years make you a citizen, the system doesn’t work like that, you have to apply for naturalisation to be a citizen which he never did so stop blaming home office, paying taxes and living in America or Australia for 50 years doesn’t make you a citizen for either country you got to apply to become a citizen, I hope this is a lesson to people out there who have similar mindset

[Robin_The_Red_Fox]

How could he just conclude in his mind that, he has automatically become a citizen without applying for a stay or doing any paperwork.

[andrewhills]

Why didn't he sort out his citizenship since the 1990s?
First thing first.

[agnesmuchemi]

Me being a foreigner, not even educated like Nelson i can’t understand the level of ignorance on immigration rules. I always use lawyers, on my application of all needed paperwork. I wish him the best but must accept the countability of his own personal omission, on what was most important. His legality