First Dates’ Fred said he was made to feel ‘like a second-class citizen’ by Home Office
First Dates Fred Sirieix. Photograph: Channel 4. - Credit: Archant
First Dates maitre'd Fred Sirieix said he was made to feel like a 'second-class citizen' as he applied for settled status in the UK.
The Channel 4 star, who grew up in Limoges, France, complained that he was asked for proof of residence in the country for five years - despite the fact the UK has been his home for 27.
Sirieix revealed his being asked was a mistake and he has been ultimately granted settled status, but has branded the immigration process a disturbing waste off time.
He also blamed the "Brexit shambles" for the complications.
The TV star wrote on Twitter: "As small as this may seem to some, the whole thing was deeply upsetting and unsettling. I could not find proofs of residency last night and woke up at 4am to check.
You may also want to watch:
"After all these years in the UK it is so wrong to make people feel like second-class citizens."
After being asked for details about his status in the UK, the issue was resolved, with Sirieix being confirmed as settled.
Most Read
- 1 Jacob Rees-Mogg claims fish captured after Brexit deal came into effect were 'British and happier for it'
- 2 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 3 Matt Hancock praises free school meals before being reminded he voted against them
- 4 Katie Hopkins joins UKIP in time for leadership contest
- 5 Brexiteer MP ridiculed after calling for free movement of goods between GB and NI
- 6 Spokesman indicates Boris Johnson has not read Brexit trade deal text
- 7 Michel Barnier tells Britain Brexit red tape is here 'for good'
- 8 What Remainers should have done differently
- 9 Brexiteer says he'd never have voted for Brexit 'if we knew we'd lose our jobs'
- 10 Why I'll be making Leave EU's move to Ireland as difficult as possible
He continued: "How unnecessary and a total waste of time #settledstatus SO SO SO WRONG."
MORE: Home Office slammed for denying settled status to Polish chef who has lived in UK for 15 years
MORE: 'The Home Office put our marriage on hold' - The ordeal of obtaining a UK spouse visa
MORE: EU citizens' rights hang by a thread if Priti Patel ends freedom of movement overnight
Sirieix has been an outspoken critic of Brexit on social media.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "We have contacted Mr Sirieix about his application and he has now been granted settled status.
"Nobody has been granted pre-settled status without first being offered the opportunity to submit evidence that they qualify for settled status.
"EU Settlement Scheme statistics confirm that by the end of June not a single person had been refused.
"EU citizens are our friends, family and neighbours and we want them to stay."
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.