Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi denied settled by the UK home office
Two Michelin-starred Bibendum chef Claude Bosi may be forced to leave the UK as his settled status application has been denied by the British Home Office.
As Brexit date draws closer, European citizens living in the United Kingdom now have to prove that they have been residing in and contributing to the country's economy for the right to remain and work in Britain indefinitely.
Claude shared the letter of refusal he received from the Home Office on his Instagram page, saying "I love Britain, I have considered it like home but they just told me after 23 years of taxe paid /Vat paid Im not welcome-anymore."
One of the main stipulations for the status is continuous residence in the UK for the past five years - but, according to the chef, he has spent more than 23 years living here.
Chefs from the UK and elsewhere, including Tom Brown, David Chang, Matt Ramsdale and John Williams MBE expressed their shock and support for the chef, venturing that it must be a mistake, or, in the words of Paul Foster, "a load of bollocks."
Though the second half of the letter isn't shown in Claude's post, it is likely that he has received what is called a "pre-settled" status, which would grant him the right to stay in the UK for another five years and to apply for a settled status once more.
European citizens working in all sectors have had to apply for the status - but it has made waves within the hospitality industry, as big names such as Fred Sirieix and Richard Bertinet have seen their right to remain in the UK after Brexit called into question.
Fred Sirieix, whose permanent application was finally granted after what the home office said had been "a mistake" called out the UK Government for what he said was a "Brexit Shambles" and deplored the scheme, which he said "makes people feel like second-class citizens."
It is thought that of the more than 2.7 million European citizens have applied for the status, 326,000 are still waiting for their application to be processed.
As for the wider implications of Brexit on the hospitality industry, Brexiteers hope that a healthy economy boosted by international trade deals will reinvigorate consumer confidence and boost its growth, while others fear that the potential loss of between 25 and 28 percent of the sector's workforce (according to FDI), could cause it "significant damage."
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