Scots Italians are facing their own Windrush ordeal

and have influenced almost every walk of Scottish life.

Some have become global stars, including Paisley boy Paolo Nutini, who was given a St Christopher medal by Barga in Tuscany for his work in raising its profile abroad.

Glaswegian Sharleen Spiteri, the frontwoman of Texas, has Italian as well as Maltese blood.

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci’s dad was from Naples and his mum, also of Italian heritage, was born in Glasgow.

Paisley-born Tom Conti, Daniela Nardini, from Largs, and Ronni Ancona, from Troon, have also enjoyed successful careers.

Gran-of-three Tina, 71, added: “At the beginning of the Brexit process, I thought we would be fine – but now I’m not so sure.

“I have had meetings with foreign nationals from all over Europe and they feel the same way. We are not safe. It is similar to the Windrush scenario.

“If Britain goes out of the EU without a deal, it is a disaster.

“We will have to apply for settled status on March 29. If there is a deal, we have got until December 2020. We have to apply on an Android phone – which can be tricky for people who aren’t good with technology – and hope that we are accepted.

“There is always the danger they will say no. This is my home, I love Scotland. I am married to a Scot, all my roots are here.

“I never thought that I would ever have to face this disaster.”

“Italian Scots, many of them elderly and infirm, are facing the nightmare of navigating error-prone Home Office bureaucracy and a crashing app – only available for certain types of Android phone – as they try to apply for permanent residence or settled status.”