Home Office denies absurd' criticism over rule change that could leave dual nationals stranded

"Under the changes, British dual nationals must present a valid or expired British passport, or a 589 certificate of entitlement, to prove their right of abode before boarding a plane, ferry or train to the UK. They don't know if they can actually get back into the UK from [their] honeymoon."

"Tapp responded: I find the framing of this absolutely absurd – it is nonsense. There have been years in planning from the officials and ministers. This has been in the public domain for some years. For those looking to travel for emergencies, there are emergency travel documents."

"The Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said the policy was justified but urged Tapp to commit, however, to improve the communications plan, which has been insufficient. The Liberal Democrats' immigration spokesperson, Will Forster, accused Tapp of lack of planning and haphazard communication, calling the situation unacceptable."

The Home Office faced parliamentary criticism over new border rules implemented on Wednesday requiring British dual nationals to present valid or expired British passports or 589 certificates of entitlement before boarding flights, ferries, or trains to the UK. Multiple MPs reported constituents at risk of being stranded abroad, including honeymooners unable to confirm re-entry eligibility. The Home Office minister Mike Tapp defended the policy, citing years of planning and public domain announcements, dismissing communication concerns as absurd. However, both Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs criticized insufficient communication efforts. Tapp rejected grace period requests but offered to host an MP drop-in session and noted consular services and emergency travel documents were available, with passport processing taking four weeks or nine days in some cases.

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