A north-east farmer faces being thrown out of the country after immigrations officials at Heathrow refused to believe he was British.
Although born in Canada, Colin Tough has lived in Aberdeenshire since he was two. When he returned to the UK after a family holiday in Italy, he was detained by customs officials in London.
They told him that, because he held a Canadian passport, he had no right to stay in the country. He was, instead, given a six-month visitor’s visa.
The 50-year-old, who stays and works on a farm near Turriff, now has until the end of the year to prove he is a British citizen and get a UK passport.
“I was absolutely stunned,” he said. “I was treated like a naughty boy and made to sit in a corner. I was sat there watching all these people from other countries just sailing through immigration. It seemed so unfair.”
Mr Tough’s parents were born in the north-east, but were working and living in Canada when he was born.
He got his Canadian passport from Glasgow’s passport office when he was a teenager. “In the past it’s never been a problem. I’ve been flying for years, but I always go through Aberdeen Airport.
“I’ve been asked about the passport by customs before, but as soon as I open my mouth they’re satisfied I’m Scottish and let me through.
“You can’t mistake the Doric accent.”
But on his way back from Tuscany with his wife, Carol, and daughter, Lois, his Dyce-bound flight was redirected to Heathrow.
“The guy there wasn't having any of it. Lois was shouting over to me when I was sat on my own, asking what was wrong,” said Mr Tough.
“I was saying ‘that’s my daughter, that’s my wife’ but he told me that didn't prove anything.”
Mr Tough, of Muiryfold farm, near Delgaty, eventually had his passport stamped with the temporary visa.
Mr Tough has now started the long, complex process of applying for British citizenship.
“I’ve got all the forms ready, but it’s going to take quite a while to get through them all,” he said. “I hope I don’t get asked to do a citizenship quiz. I don’t know how I’d get on with that.”
Mr Tough said he had tried to get a UK passport once before but gave up when the forms got too complicated.
His daughter, Lois, said: “I think dad’s always been proud of his Canadian passport, it’s not something he wants to give up. But now he’s got no choice. It’s a real shame because it’s never been a problem in the past.”
She said: “He’s dealing with things well but this has been a terrible experience for the whole family.”
Mr Tough’s experiences with immigration officials comes just weeks after the P&J revealed Highland nurse Heather Cavin, who was also born in Canada, feared being deported and was barred from working for the NHS because she did not have a British passport.
The UK Border Agency eventually confirmed the 59-year-old would be able to apply for permanent residency by paying the standard £750 fee.
A Home Office spokesman confirmed last night that Mr Tough would have to register as a British citizen.