Over the moon: Sam is delighted he can go back to work

A FORMER British Soldier, whose family life in Pembrokeshire was at risk after he was refused a citizenship visa by the Home Office, has been given a lifeline thanks to MP Stephen Crabb.

Sam Cataki, who is 36 and was born in Fiji, has been told that he can return to work.

He has previously served in the British Army for 12 years and was based at Colchester, Nottingham and Brawdy in 2007, before moving back to Neyland in 2014.

He is a father of two children, Mesake, 5, and Jared, 1, but was told that he could no longer work in the UK legally despite having lived and worked in the country since being recruited by the army age 20.

However, on Monday, MP Stephen Crabb released a statement saying: “After speaking with Sam on Friday (Jun 23), I briefed the Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis, and this morning (Jun 26) I was very pleased to hear from the Home Office that Sam is allowed to return to work, and that his application to remain in the United Kingdom is being treated with urgency.

“This is very good news for Sam, his family and the people of Neyland and who have shown strong support for him. Hopefully the whole matter will be resolved shortly.”

Sam plays rugby in Neyland and his team mates, friends and family have all come out in support of Sam by calling on the Home Office to grant his visa.

He has worked for Milford Haven Port Authority as a search team operative at Pembroke Dock port since November 2014 and he says he really enjoys his job. Sam’s wife Seini also works at a nearby nursing home.

Each time they apply for a citizenship visa they have to pay between £800 and £1200.

MP Crabb helped him when he returned to Pembrokeshire from North Yorkshire and Sam said that his wife has also been affected as her citizenship visa was rejected as well.

A petition was also set up in support of Sam and his family which already has nearly 30,000 signatures.

Mayor of Neyland, Cllr Simon Hancock said: “Sam is strongly supported by the community of Neyland. His service and loyalty to our country means he has earned British citizenship. He is a great asset to our town and we want the Home Office to recognize that.”

Speaking to the Herald, Sam said this was the second time that this had happened and that he was waiting for the outcome of his application which is open until December 23, but could be sorted before that time.

He added: “If I came illegally, I would say. But I came here in 2002 from Fiji when I was recruited to join the army.

“I served until I left in 2014 and before I left I applied for citizenship. One of the criteria is that you have to have been living here for five years.

“All I had was three points on my driving licence but I was told I couldn’t attend a speed awareness course because I had just come out of rehab after a knee operation.

“In February, I was told my application was void. I thought ‘how is my application inappropriate?’

“I am really grateful for the amount of support I have received over the last few days from the people of Neyland, Milford Haven and across Pembrokeshire, even from England. The support is tremendous, I can’t thank them enough.”

He went on to say: “I hope they change the way they do things. Being in the armed forces speaks for itself. If they can do it now, it will help those who are still in the forces.”