When I obtained my first passport way back in 1948, it was issued in the name of John, which is a translation of Giovanni appearing on my original birth certificate.

In all these years all documents I possess, including passports, identity card, driving licence, bank accounts, legal (including contracts and my will) and other commercial papers are all in my English name John.

Now I have been told that if I want to renew my passport my name will revert to Giovanni which was given to me over 83 years ago in 1928; with all the problems that this might create both locally and abroad.

I am thinking of challenging this ruling in court but before going through this expense, I would like to know whether this is government policy, considering that English is one of our official languages, or whether it is at the whim of a zealous civil servant.