Government u-turn over army captain passport (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Government u-turn over army captain passport

THE former British army captain who was refused British citizenship for spending too much time abroad is eligible for a passport, a Government minister has decided.

The case of Capt Warwick Strong, who is currently conducting academic research in Australia, has received a great deal of press coverage in recent weeks.

And now, thanks to the intervention of Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, it seems the Home Office has had a change of heart.

Warwick, 29, was born in Zimbabwe and came to Britain on an ancestral visa in 1998 after attending university in South Africa.

He enrolled at Sandhurst and served with the British forces in both Kosovo and Iraq.

However, when he applied for British citizenship in 2003 he was refused on the grounds he had spent more than 90 days out of the country on active service in the last five years.

His father, Colonel Jeremy Strong, who lives in Perrott's Brook, Cirencester, said the rejection was a slap in the face from the Government.

But he is delighted the Home Office has reassessed its position.

He said: "It's a great Christmas present - it's all very positive and looking very promising.

"It would appear they are now going to reopen the case and, if Warwick wants to, he can have indefinite leave in the UK, which should lead to getting a passport.

"I was hoping they would review it quicker, but we have to go through the various procedures and it's going to take a lot longer than I thought."

Mr Clifton-Brown, who recently raised the issue in the House of Commons, has been in discussions with Home Office minister Des Browne, trying to get Warwick's application reconsidered and fast-tracked.

The MP pointed out that since his original application Warwick had spent a further two years in the UK, bringing his total to six.

Furthermore, as an ex-member of the armed forces who has served four or more years, he is eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the UK under new rules introduced in October.

Mr Browne said: "If he still wishes to become a British citizen, the first thing that he needs to do is acquire settled status.

"Once settled, Capt Strong would be free to live and work in the UK indefinitely and to apply for British citizenship."

Mr Clifton-Brown said after Home Office questions on Monday: "I am delighted we have had the desired result and that Capt Strong will be able to make his home in the country he has served so well."