A retired shopkeeper who was facing deportation from the UK has been granted indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office. Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old from Ghana, has lived in Britain since 1977 but was told in 2019 that he had no right to live in the country.
Despite arriving in the UK on a student visa, Mr. Shardey stayed in the country and worked various jobs to support himself. He eventually settled in Wallasey, got married, and ran a successful newsagent business called Nelson’s News.
After the death of his mother, Mr. Shardey attempted to apply for a passport to return to Ghana but was informed that he was not a British citizen. The Home Office instructed him to apply for a costly 10-year settlement route, which Mr. Shardey struggled to afford.
However, after a lengthy legal battle and the support of his community, Mr. Shardey’s case was recognized as exceptional by the government, and he was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The Home Office also waived the application fee for him.
Mr. Shardey expressed his relief and gratitude for the decision, thanking everyone who supported him during the process. His sons, Aaron and Jacob, also expressed their gratitude for the outcome, stating that it means the world to them.
The family has decided to donate the funds raised for Mr. Shardey’s legal fight to three charities: The Boaz Trust, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, and Wirral Foodbank.
Mr. Shardey’s lawyer, Nicola Burgess, commended his bravery and called for a simplification of the immigration system to prevent others from facing similar challenges.
Overall, Mr. Shardey’s case serves as a reminder of the complexities and hardships faced by many individuals navigating the immigration system, and the importance of compassion and support in such situations.
