Gerald Harrison has found himself caught in a bureaucratic nightmare after the British Passport Office refused to renew his passport due to a discrepancy in his middle names. Writing to the Guardian, Harrison describes the situation as a case of 'arrogance' rather than the 'colonial attitude' highlighted by a previous letter writer.
The Problem
Harrison, who has an English father and an Irish mother, has used both British and Irish passports for nearly 40 years. In November last year, he applied to renew his British passport and included his Irish passport as supporting evidence. However, his renewal was refused because his Irish passport lists his first name and one middle name, while his British passport includes an additional second middle name.
Despite presenting both passports—each bearing the same home address and similar photographs—British officials suggested that the documents might belong to two different people. This has led to an eight-month impasse.
Official Responses
The British Passport Office has instructed Harrison to add the second middle name to his Irish passport. However, the Irish authorities have declined, citing EU regulations that prevent such changes. Harrison has also asked the British office to remove the second middle name from his British passport, but this request has been refused.
'Although the British officials had both passports in front of them, it was suggested I could be two different people,' Harrison said. He describes the office's stance as 'arrogant' and questions whether joining the EU might resolve such issues.
Broader Context
Harrison's case echoes a recent letter about the British Passport Office's 'colonial attitude' toward a woman with a Greek surname. Both cases highlight bureaucratic inflexibility. Harrison remains stuck, with no resolution in sight, and hopes his story will prompt a change in policy.
