Lost passport with ILR stamp, lived in UK 34 years

[Dee87]

Hi,
I'm posting on behalf of my partner. He entered the UK with his family aged 4 and was granted ILR. He was educated primary - university in the UK and has worked the vast majority of his adult life and has never claimed benefits.
The original passport that was stamped has unfortunately been lost. The only ID document is an expired passport. Home office say that his records aren't available as they're "too old" and that the only option is to pay a solicitor. I'm just after a bit of advice on the best way to approach this. I would like his residency confirmed so we can move on with our lives.
I'm a BC by birth. We have been living together (he is on the electoral roll, has bills in his name) for 2 years but he has been in this country for 34 years!
I know absolutely nothing about the system and would appreciate some advice please. Are we really looking at paying out four figure sums to a solicitor?

[Amber]

Does he/did he not want to naturalise?

[Dee87]

Amber, does he not need to prove he has been living in the uk lawfully?

[Amber]

Yes, but I assume he has a bank account with statements?

Did the bank take a copy of the old passport for ID purpose? If so, they may still have the ILR details on their system, perhaps worth asking.

[Dee87]

I'm not sure if he has tried the bank. It was years ago but worth a shot. He has certainly tried schools and because all records weren't computerised in those days they haven't got anything on him.

A few years back immigration came to audit his workplace. They weren't satisfied with his status so asked him to attend communications house. Went, said he checked out and was on his way. Since then, his file has gone missing?! He only has the surname of the gent who last physically held his file and apparently he is nowhere to be found now.

I find it difficult to accept that there is zero record of him anywhere. The immigration officer at the time basically implied that if he pays, he gets.

[Amber]

Contact your local MP and get him/her involved. That should get them looking.