A former undercover police officer jailed after becoming a heroin addict could be deported to Germany – even though he has lived his entire adult life in Britain.

Robert Carroll, 41, from Holmfirth was stunned when he received a letter from the Home Office stating: “In light of your conviction, you are liable to be deported from the United Kingdom.”

The son of a British Army officer, Carroll was born in an army medical facility in the German town of Rintel.

Like many children of servicemen, he spent much of his youth growing up in and around bases around Europe until his parents – both from the Ancoats area of Manchester – settled in Ashton-under-Lyne when he was 10.

He has a British birth certificate and passport and spent 13 years as a constable with Greater Manchester Police.

His police career ended in shame earlier this year when he was jailed for 14 months for misconduct in a public office.

Working undercover exposing drug dealers, he became addicted to heroin.

Now out of prison on an electronic tag, the Examiner has previously revealed he is suing GMP, saying he became addicted to the drug after being encouraged to sniff heroin smoke during a training exercise. He also claims bosses failed to support him when he fell ill.

On his last day in prison he says staff noted he had been born in Germany and feared he could flee the country before finally allowing him out on the tag.

The Home Office letter, from its immigration enforcement section in Croydon, asks for evidence he has lived and worked in the UK, including payslips and bank statements.

He has also been asked to prove he is married to his police officer wife and show birth certificates for his children.

Carroll said: “I’m amazed. I’m as British as you can get. My third UK passport only arrived a few days ago. The same Home Office that sent the letter paid my wages. It’s laughable. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing.

“When I phoned in my broad Manc accent, they weren’t listening to what I was saying. My case worker said ‘we appreciate one parent is British but the other is German and we need to ascertain your entitlement to remain in the UK’. I couldn’t believe it. Both my parents were born and bred in Ancoats.”

A Home Office spokesman said he could not comment on individual cases.

Robert Carroll: Drugs cop sacked after becoming heroin addict says he'll sue police force - read more here

Holme Valley drugs cop jailed after becoming heroin addict fails to get sentence cut - read more here

Undercover drugs squad officer from Holmfirth who got hooked on heroin to appeal against prison sentence

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