Former Ipswich mayor who’s lived in the UK since 1979 denied citizenship by Home Office A former mayor of Ipswich who has lived in the UK for nearly 40 years has been denied citizenship. Inga […]

A former mayor of Ipswich who has lived in the UK for nearly 40 years has been denied citizenship.

Inga Lockington moved to England from Denmark in 1979 after marrying her British husband. She has served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for 19 years and was mayor of Ipswich in 2007.

She was given indefinite leave to stay in the country, but decided to apply for UK citizenship after the EU referendum, as a change in Danish law meant she could do so without losing her Danish citizenship.

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Ms Lockington spent £1,282 on the application. However, she was shocked to receive a letter from the Home Office rejecting her, on the basis it “cannot be satisfied” that she is a permanent resident.

‘This is Theresa May’s legacy’

“I could not really believe what I was reading,” Ms Lockington told i. “I felt rejected and maybe also a little ashamed.

“I think Theresa May created a very hostile environment when she was in charge of The Home Office and we see the legacy from her time there.

“Why do they need to think we are all criminals? Most people in the world are good decent people and many of them have come to live in the UK and add to this country.”

Ms Lockington says she was rejected because she does not have a permanent residency card, which has been required since November 2016.

However, she claims the Home Office never told her she needed one, despite them having her contact details.

She also has a stamp in her old passport saying she can remain in the UK indefinitely.

The letter from the Home Office reads: “As you have not provided a document certifying permanent residence or a permanent residence card issued by the Home Office, we cannot be satisfied that you were permanently resident in the United Kingdom no the date of your application for naturalisation and it has been refused.”

‘Hostile environment at work’

Sal Brinton, a Liberal Democrat peer and president of the party, tweeted angrily about Ms Lockington’s treatment.

“I have known Inga for close to 20 years, she’s had indefinite leave to remain in her passport since 1979,” she wrote. “Hostile environment for lawful EU citizens already here.

“She is an EU citizen married to a UK resident and does not need any document certifying permanent residence. However, she does already have indefinite leave to remain in her passport from 1979, which they’ve ignored. Hostile environment at work. Disgraceful.”

A spokesperson for the Home Office said they are contacting Ms Lockington about her situation, and that there was a problem with her application.

They added the Home Office would be “happy to discuss the various routes to citizenship” with her.

Ms Lockington says her next step is to continue with her appeal.

“If I lose that one I have lost a lot of money. I am lucky I can pay. Other applicants are not so lucky,” she said.