[2025] UKUT 250 (AAC)

I held an oral hearing of this appeal by CVP on 22 July 2025. The Appellant ably represented himself while Mr Paul Carolan appeared on behalf of the Respondent, the Secretary of State. I am grateful to both gentlemen, but especially to the Appellant for the very clear, thoughtful and well-argued submissions in support of his appeal. It was agreed that the underlying facts of the case were not in dispute and that the appeal turned on a question of pure statutory construction. As to that, the parties’ core and competing submissions can be summarised as follows.