06 April 2023 , 16:44
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Campaigners have started legal action against Suella Braverman's decision to slash key recommendations from a scathing review into the Windrush scandal.
The Black Equity Organisation (BEO) has sent legal papers to the Home Secretary on the fifth anniversary of the horrendous failings - which saw thousands of British citizens deported and denied access to healthcare - coming to light.
It is seeking a judicial review after Ms Braverman said she would not bring in three key changes, including a new Migrants' Commissioner, recommended by solicitor solicitor Wendy Williams.
Today campaigners delivered a letter signed by 50,000 people calling on Rishi Sunak not to go back on promises to Windrush victims - describing Ms Braverman's actions as a "kick in the teeth".
BEO Chief Executive Dr Wanda Wyporska said: “The Home Secretary’s decision to disregard three of the report recommendations is an echo of the very insensitivity cited in the Williams Review.
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"Victims have been campaigning for years for justice. They’ve been fighting to have their voices heard and their cases resolved.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has sparked anger after scrapping three key pledges (PA)"The Home Secretary’s decision has shown that allowing the Home Office to be in charge of cleaning up its own mess and recompensing the Windrush generation, would result in the internal needs of the Department trumping those of the victims."
The Home Secretary announced in January she was scrapping three key recommendations - establishing a migrants' commissioner, increasing the powers of the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, and holding reconciliation events.
Speaking outside Downing Street Windrush campaigners said they were "back to square one again".
Glenda Ceasar, 61, lost her job at a GP practice in 2009 and was unable to work or claim benefits for the next 10 years, said: "I came here as a baby and I lived here my whole life.
"It affected me really badly. I contemplated suicide one time because it affected myself and my younger son who was born in 1988.
"I understand the trauma that people are going through now and people disbelieving you like you've done something wrong. It was legislation that was not put in place properly.
Windrush campaigners (left to right) Janet McKay-Williams, Glenda Caesar, Patrick Vernon and Dr Wanda Wporska outside Downing Street (PA)"The community is hurt. They feel as if they are being pushed away and they are not keeping to their promises."
Windrush campaigner Michael Braithwaite, 71, had been a teaching assistant for children with autism for 16 years when he was threatened with deportation.
He had documents dating back to 1973 but the Home Office requested data from when he landed in the UK aged nine.
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Mr Braithwaite said he was afraid the Windrush generation will be forgotten and accused the Government of "washing it under the carpet".
He said: "It has been a long journey and I am still hurt by it. They have changed so many different things. We have had promises and promises.
"Now the person in power says it did not happen on her watch. Where does this leave us?"
The letter - whose signatories include actor David Harewood, singer Beverley Knight and former athletes Dame Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson - said Ms Braverman's actions were a "kick in the teeth to the Windrush generation, to whom our country owes such a huge debt of gratitude".
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We remain absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of Windrush and have paid or offered more than £64 million in compensation to the people affected.
“We are making good progress towards the vast majority of recommendations from Wendy Williams’ report, and believe there are more meaningful ways of achieving the intent of a very small number of others.
“Through this work, we will make sure that similar injustices can never be repeated and are creating a Home Office worthy of every community it serves. The Home Secretary continues to co-host Windrush Working Group meetings to discuss how we can work together to drive further improvements.”