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An award winning baker in Bath has said a letter denying him settled status in the UK sent "chills down his spine".

Richard Bertinet, who has published a number of baking books and teaches at The Bertinet Kitchen on St Andrews Terrace, has lived in the UK for 31 years since moving from France.

He applied for the EU Settlement Scheme to secure his right to continue living and work in the country following Brexit.

The process included sending various documentation including his identity, residence and history in the UK.

But he received a letter from the Home Office on Friday (August 23), stating he had instead been granted 'pre-settled status' - meaning he can only stay for a further five years, before applying again.

UPDATE - Home Office responds

(Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

The Brittany-born baker, well-known in Bath and beyond thanks to appearances on TV shows like Saturday Kitchen, shared his plight on Twitter and Instagram and received thousands of messages of support.

Other well-known chefs, such as Nigella Lawson, left comments backing up Mr Bertinet.

He told Bath.Live he started the application following his ongoing concerns about Brexit.

He said: "I applied as we watched the news about Brexit and we were worried about having to reapply for residency.

"You feel like you spend 31 years of your life living here but it is not your home.

"There is something not right here. It is something of a betrayal."

Mr Bertinet soon received a document that confirmed he had pre-settled status - not the settled status he desired.

The government's website states that pre-settled status normally applies to EU citizens without five years' continuous residence upon application.

Richard Bertinet said the letter sent a "chill down my spine" and insisted "I will fight it".

(Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

"It is a slap in the face. I feel angered and betrayed," he added.

"I have paid taxes, I am grateful for the NHS and I have employed hundreds of people for my businesses.

"I have never had a British passport as I have a French passport. It leaves a very sour taste in the mouth."

His family meanwhile - wife Jo, and his three children - are unaffected as they are all British citizens and possess British passports.

He also expressed his fears about the country's political direction and negative treatment of EU citizens.

Mr Bertinet said: "When you go back to 2012, there was pride in Britain following the Olympics.

"When people today say they are embarrassed about their country, you know something is not right."

What happens now to Richard Bertinet according to letter from Home Office The letter from the Home Office, seen by Bath.Live, states: "You have permission to stay in the UK for five years from the date of this letter. "If you wish to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can do so as soon as you meet the qualifying criteria for this. "More information on the qualifying criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/when-to-apply. "You should make an application when you believe you qualify for settled status and before your pre-settled status experies. "You can also rely on any rights that you may have as an EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss citizen under EU law whilst those rights remain in force in the UK."

Following the letter, he said he will reapply for settled status and pay the £80 fee.

But he fears for EU citizens in a less fortunate position than him, and pondered: "There is 2.9 million people in my situation but who will fight for them?"

Mr Bertinet said he has been left humbled by messages of support on social media, with many calling the decision "shocking" and "truly awful".

Celebrity chef, Nigella Lawson, sent him a message of support, and said: "This is idiotic and wrong, and so hurtful."

Bath MP, Wera Hobhouse, signaled she will be fighting Mr Bertinet's corner with the government.

In a tweet, the Liberal Democrat MP said: "I am shocked by this latest example of the despicable treatment of EU citizens - who are the cornerstones of our communities - in our country and in Bath.

"I will be taking this up with the government."

The letter to Mr Bertinet from the Home Office also describes pre-settled status as 'limited leave'.

Under a section of the letter with the sub-heading 'What this means for you' it says Mr Bertinet has 'permission to stay in the UK for five years from the date of this letter'.

It adds that Mr Bertinet can apply for settled status as soon as he meets the 'qualifying criteria'.

A spokesman for the Home Office told Somerset Live: "Mr Bertinet applied for, and was granted pre-settled status under the Scheme, but our caseworkers have been in contact with him to assist him in providing the evidence needed to be granted settled status.

"Automatic checks against government data are making it simple for many people to apply successfully and in 79% of concluded cases during testing, applicants did not need to provide any further evidence of residence.

"One million EU citizens and their families have been granted status so far and they have until at least December 2020 to make an application."

Update - 4.50pm

Mr Bertinet has said on Instagram that he has received a follow up call from the Home Office - which may offer him hope of a different outcome.

The chef wrote: "The Home Office called this afternoon (August 24).

"They say the reason I was rejected was because I pressed the wrong button.

"Given Mrs B (the lawyer in my life) did the button pressing for me we think this is unlikely but it does seem to suggest that an appeal or re-application will be successful.

"We will be doing this on Tuesday. Merci and happy weekend!"

Do you have a view on this story or another story I should cover?

Get in touch by contacting michael.taylor@reachplc.com, tweet @JournoMikeT or call 01935 709742.

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