Overview
- David Toropu, 9, was refused boarding for a Milan to Gatwick flight on Thursday, April 2, because UK border systems showed no record of his residency.
- After coverage and help from MP Alex Davies-Jones, the Home Office said it has now granted the documents he needs to return.
- David was born in Cardiff and lives in Wales but holds a Romanian passport because both parents are Romanian, with his father on settled status and his mother on pre‑settled status.
- The family remained abroad after the denial, with David’s mother staying with him and later moving to Romania to await travel plans, and her attempt to secure an electronic travel authorisation failed because it is for visitors, not residents.
- The UK’s new system introduced in February requires a British passport or a digital certificate of entitlement that is not issued automatically and costs £589, and the family reports about £2,000 in extra bills and distress that point to wider risks for others in similar situations.