Man, 58, must prove Britishness

Len Sutera: 'Where do they think I've been, Planet Zog?'

A man who has lived in the Black Country for 57 years, since the age of 11 months, has been told by the Home Office he must take a citizenship test.

Len Sutera, 58, was born in the US after his mother married an American soldier following World War II.

But he returned to England with his mother less than a year later and has never left the country since.

The Home Office turned down his appeal to avoid the test saying that there are no exemptions for those born abroad.

Where do they think I have been for the past 57 years, on the Planet Zog? Len Sutera

Former milkman Mr Sutera, from Wednesbury, said: "I have been here since I was a baby. What other country do I know?

"I have only ever schooled here, I only ever worked here.

"Where do they think I have been for the past 57 years, on the Planet Zog?"

The new citizenship laws came into force last year and exemptions can only be made on grounds of age and mental and physical ability.

A Home Office spokesman said the tests "require new applicants to demonstrate knowledge of life in the UK as well as knowledge of English".

But Mr Sutera's mother Majorie said: "I just think it is a lot of bull what they are doing, I really do.

"It is making me feel bad as well."