A Newport couple are stranded in Cyprus after Cypriot authorities refused to grant them a visa to return to the UK.
Ron Johnson, 73, and his 44-year-old wife Espi, who is originally from the Philippines, have been stuck in Cyprus since April 11 following a holiday.
Cypriot authorities are refusing to grant Espi a visa and are questioning the couple’s marriage, despite the pair tying the knot in 2003.
In an email sent exclusively to the Advertiser, Ron said: “We have been here since the 11th of April. We completed the online application for a visa expecting them to reply telling us to go to the British Consulate for tests but this did not happen. I tried e-mailing the UK Border Agency to find out what was happening with no response.
“We then went to the Consulate and were told that we just had to arrive with the online application, which we completed with Espi and I giving very personal banking, property and finance details assuming this would suffice.
“We then produced our marriage certificate which was certified and stamped by the Cyprus Minister of Justice.
“My wife offered the consulate her ID for residency and her NI number issued when she worked at Lillishall Sports Centre. They said nothing was required and they would phone when our application had been reviewed – this did not happen.”
Ron, who owns property in both Newport and Dawley, is the son of the late Phyllis Johnson who was instrumental in opening Newport Swimming Pool.
He added: “I have spent five thousand pounds trying to get this visa. What annoys me is that I don’t believe they checked the online application or my wife’s passport.
“I can’t believe that my wife and I are having such difficulty – how long until the Cyprus Consular staff can get their heads around the technique of computer files and memory sticks which are the norm nowadays.”
Friend and Newport Town Councillor, Phil Norton, said: “This is absolutely outrageous. Ron fought for his county, was born in Newport and his mother did a hell of a lot of good for Newport.
“He is an honest and straight forward guy. He’s been married to this lady for years and I find it unbelievable the amount of money it’s costing. He is a hard working man and is being kicked in the teeth.”
By Joseph Masi