A 15-year-old British girl has been stranded in Rome for six weeks after a new passport rule left her unable to return home, missing critical school time.

The teenager, who is a dual citizen, faced a bureaucratic nightmare when the UK Home Office's updated regulations required British passports for re-entry.

Despite having a valid passport, the rule's ambiguity and poor communication from government departments left her stuck, with her school intervening to secure her return.

Her father, Rowan Somerville, criticized the Home Office for its lack of clarity and support, highlighting how the policy change disrupted his daughter's education.

The family eventually secured an emergency travel document, but the ordeal exposed systemic issues in how policy changes are communicated and implemented.The incident has sparked criticism of the Home Office's handling of dual citizens, with similar cases reported in Denmark and Spain.

The spokesperson for the Home Office acknowledged the emergency document and passport issuance but did not address the impact on the teenager's education.This case underscores the challenges faced by dual citizens navigating complex immigration rules and the need for clearer policy communication.