I'm guessing it's to do with employee screening/background checks and if you've been resident outside the country, they do not have adequate processes to acquire, process and verity non-UK documentation. So probably not negotiable.

Makes sense. Although it would be very James Bond to be completely clean for 3 years at home while causing pure international carnage for 2 years abroad!

Yeah, that's exactly it.

Thinking the current political environment in the US, and the timing of Alan's departure leaves some questions to be answered.

I’m not sure what you’re suggesting about Comrade Bradski here?

Within the last 15 minutes, I've just greeted a former colleague like this.

😬