A British family kicked off the Island after living here for 20 years has abandoned its fight to return.Stephen Tomlinson and his wife Kirsty made headlines earlier this week after they called on the British Government to plead their case.The pair were yesterday reported in the Hull Daily Mail as saying they no longer want to return to Bermuda, and will now settle in Britain.The Royal Gazette reported earlier this week how the 45-year-old paint sprayer became redundant after the HWP fire last August.He said his application for a work permit at Mercedes dealership Far East Imports was declined and they were given less than a month to leave, despite their two children being born here.Yesterday he told the Daily Mail that he still loved Bermuda and its people, but was disappointed with how his family was treated.“If I was told I could go back tomorrow, I wouldn’t,” he said. “It’s not worth the heartache.“There’s no point living on the edge thinking we could be sent home again in a year.“I know this was always the case but after 20 years, most countries would give you permanent residency.“We are not dragging Bermuda’s name through the mud, we love the Country and the people.“I could swim, snorkel and bike my days away. It was a great life.“We are just disappointed in the way we were treated. After working hard for so long, we were given such a short time to pack up everything and leave.”The original story drew numerous responses from the public at www.royalgazette.com.Some supported the couple; others said they should have been aware that, as guest workers, they would eventually have to leave.Mr Tomlinson said: “There have been a lot of negative comments, as well as supportive ones from British expats and Bermudians.“Every year I told my children that we might have to go back to England and they understood.”Added Mrs Tomlinson: “We are not acting spoiled and we are not stupid, we knew the situation. It just isn’t fair that they give you such a short time to leave.“If our story helps someone who is living out there to be given a bit longer, then it has been worth it.”