Mrs Reagan said they took advice from the British Embassy on whether Mr Reagan needed to apply for a new visa before flying back. She says they were assured there would be no need – but the family was still separated at Heathrow Airport.
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Devast...ail/story.html

he had ILR in the past but never knew it could expire, i find it hard to believe when they must have applied for many visa's over the years, they didn't check themselves