British Overseas Territories Citizenship

Early day motion 1166, tabled 19 November 2020 by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House notes under the British Nationality Act 1981 children born outside of marriage to British Overseas Territories fathers, before the 1st July 2006 are deemed illegitimate and are prevented from inheriting their father’s citizenship by descent; further notes that this does not apply if the child’s mother is from a British Overseas Territory or if the child was born after the 1st July 2006; recognises that Section 65 of the Immigration Act 2014 granted children of British mainland fathers the right to claim citizenship through their father’s descent, but this right was not afforded to children of British Overseas Territory fathers; is concerned by the inconsistencies and discriminations that exist in this law as well as its outdated attitude towards children born outside of marriage; is pleased by the Home Secretary’s recent admission that this law needs to be changed; and urgently calls on this government to introduce the necessary legislation to address the discrepancies in this law.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, Independent 4, Scottish National Party 4, Liberal Democrat 3, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.