Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old Ghanaian man who has lived in the UK since 1977, has been granted indefinite leave to remain after a prolonged legal battle with the Home Office.
Initially arriving on a student visa, Mr Shardey settled in the UK, working various jobs at Mother’s Pride Bread and Kipling’s Cakes. He eventually ran his newsagent business in Wallasey, where he married and raised a family.
In 2007, Mr Shardey received a bravery award for intervening in a robbery, yet in 2019, he was told he was not a British citizen when applying for a passport after his mother’s passing. This revelation led to a challenging legal process and a fight against deportation.
His case gained widespread support, raising over £48,000 for legal fees. The family announced that these funds would be donated to charities, including The Boaz Trust, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, and Wirral Foodbank.
After pressure and a legal challenge, the Home Office granted Mr Shardey indefinite leave to remain, acknowledging his exceptional case under the Immigration Act despite initial challenges in proving his status.
Mr. Shardey expressed overwhelming relief and gratitude, emphasizing the community support that bolstered his case. His sons, Aaron and Jacob, expressed immense gratitude to supporters and legal teams who aided in securing their father’s right to stay in the UK.
The family hopes Mr Shardey’s case will prompt reforms in the UK immigration system to prevent others from enduring similar hardships and costly legal battles.
