A chef who has lived in the UK since the age of 11 is being turned down for work, despite having full permission to live and work in the country.

Constantino Salacuri, a 58-year-old chef who lives on Victoria Chase, Colchester, arrived in the UK from Cyprus in 1974.

He received a letter from the Home Office as far back as 1980 confirming he had indefinite leave to stay in the UK.

According to the Government website, this means that Mr Salacuri can stay in the UK without any time restrictions.

But despite these assurances, he is now being asked to prove that he has settled status by providing companies and work agencies with a BRP (biometric residence permit) number...even though he has been told by the Home Office he does not need it.

Mr Salacuri, who has lived in Colchester for the past two years, said he was furious he was being asked to prove he has to work in the UK, especially as he has worked in Britain for decades.

He said: “I’m absolutely livid. “I vote, I have a driving licence, I have a National Insurance number.

“The only time I have ever needed a passport is when I’ve needed to go abroad.”

Mr Salacuri, who has written to the Home Office about his predicament, added that it was optional to apply for settled status if you have indefinite leave – as he does.

He continued: “The Government has not made things clear – if you have indefinite leave, then you don’t need a passport.

“Now I understand what the Windrush people went through.”

Mr Salacuri added he has found it difficult being turned down for work because, as a chef, he has hardly ever been struggling for a job in all the years he has lived and worked in the UK.

“I have hardly ever been out of work, so this is a big shock to the system having lived in the UK for 46 years,” he said.

“I have written a letter to the Home Office about this, but was told I won’t get an answer for 20 days – they’re absolutely snowed under because of Brexit.

“It’s a disgusting situation and nobody should be going through it – it’s disgraceful.”

The Gazette contacted the Home Office for comment, but it did not respond by the time of going to press.