NEW DELHI: The British government has told the Ministry of External Affairs that former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi could continue to stay in the UK despite the cancellation of his passport by the Indian government In January UK’s minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), while appreciating the “seriousness” of India’s concerns about Modi told MEA that various “legal constraints” prevented his immediate deportation.The revocation of his passport by the Indian government did not mean that Modi lost his right to remain in the UK, the official explained.A status report prepared by Indian investigative agency describes the British reply as an “attempt to stall the investigation”. It is an example of “double standards” on part of British Authorities, claimed a top government officer.Modi is facing FEMA cases related to IPL and his presence is required before the Enforcement Directorate. The missive from the UK FCO is in response to a letter from the ED, dated January 8 , which was forwarded to the British authorities through the MEA.The response, dated January 21, said details of Modi’s status could not be disclosed because of data-protection laws. It then went on to describe the legal position in elaborate detail.“ I would like to assure you that the British Government fully appreciates the seriousness with which you take Mr Modi’s case.As I set above, subject to domestic legal constraint by which we are bound, the UK is determined that all Indian nationals who have no leave to remain in the UK should return home,” said the communication from the minister of State FCO.“Legally, an individual does not require a valid passport in order to remain in the UK, so long as their leave to enter or remain in the UK remains valid. Such leave is granted to the individual and therefore does not automatically expire upon the cancellation or expiry of the passport in which it is endorsed.Under current legislation, an individual may apply to the Home office to change their status whilst in the UK, for example by asking for leave to remain,” the British government said.“Where an application...is refused an individual has the legal right to challenge the Home Office’s decision. We are legally prevented from taking any further action against applicants, such as removal, until court proceedings are completed,” wrote the FCO Minister. In July and August Finance Minister P Chidambaram had written to UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer urging the UK government to return Modi to India.The reply described the UK laws applicable to people in Modi’s position along lines similar to the latest communication from FCO. Earlier, on October 1, 2010, DRI had issued a blue alert to detain Modi at Customs and Immigration points within the country for investigation. In 2011 the Regional Passport officer Mumbai, had revoked Modi's passport.