A top chef who has cooked for the London Olympics and the Royal Family has slammed the government for denying him full settled status after Brexit .
Damian Wawrzyniak told the Mirror he moved to the UK from Poland in 2005 and has barely taken a day off since, living in Britain full-time.
But today the dad-of-two says he received a letter from the Home Office saying he would be granted “pre-settled status” – not the full settled status available to EU citizens who have lived here more than five years.
If the apparent decision is not overturned, it would mean the 39-year-old – who has baked with Mary Berry in a BBC show – is forced to apply again for full settled status within five years.
It would also mean he must maintain continuous residence in the UK to ensure he earns the right to stay from 2022.
The chef – who has vowed to appeal – posted a screenshot the letter on Twitter writing: “Have lived in the UK for 15 years. Always employed, without gaps, now running own restaurant. Paid thousands of pounds in taxes.
(Image: Damian Wawrzyniak)
“Employing several people in our restaurant, directly and indirectly.
“NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO GET SETTLED STATUS. This is ridiculous.”
It comes as hardline Home Secretary Priti Patel draws up fresh plans to end free movement for EU citizens on the first day of a no-deal Brexit.
Critics have warned of another Windrush-style scandal if Border Force officials can’t tell the difference between citizens who are and aren’t eligible to stay.
Any EU citizen who has moved to Britain before October 31 should normally be allowed to stay, as long as they qualify for settled status.
But more than 2million EU citizens have not yet applied for settled status in the UK, and the deadline to apply is only December 2020.
The 39-year-old has lived here for 15 years and set up acclaimed restaurant House of Feasts outside Peterborough, Cambs.
(Image: AFP)
He was invited to cook Polish delicacies for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they visited Gdansk in 2017 as Britain’s Polish food ambassador – the same trip where they are said to have conceived Louis, one.
Damian served traditional Polish lard with sourdough bread and pickles, and brined tartare of Baltic Sea wild herring with Fenland shallots.
In March, he cooked four tastes of Poland for Princess Anne and has also met ex-PM Theresa May , the Hairy Bikers and GBBO star Mary Berry.
“It’s a really sad situation,” he blasted.
“We are the victims of a bad system.
“People are going through looking for loopholes to kick people out, and I am one of the victims.
“I have given so much to the UK and never asked for anything in return.
“I have never been on any benefits, I’ve paid my taxes, I employ people at my restaurant and this is how the UK is thanking me.”
He added: “I have treated the UK as my home. But it is not just me, there are millions of other people in the same situation.
“My message to other people in my situation is do not ignore this.
“There are many people who don’t speak English, find a friend or help from elsewhere and appeal or reapply until you are successful.
“In five years we will all be illegal.”
Mr Wawrzyniak told the Mirror he and other family members applied for settled status last week and he was asked to provide further details.
He said his partner’s mother also failed to obtain full settled status, instead being offered ‘pre-settled’ status to 2022. He said the Home Office did not explain in its letter why he was granted ‘pre-settled’ status.
The Mirror has contacted the Home Office for comment.
