200 MPs demand Windrush assurances enshrined in law 

Theresa May is facing fresh pressure over the Windrush scandal after 200 MPs signed a letter urging her to enshrine promises made to the immigrants in law.

The letter also tears into Amber Rudd accusing her of making up immigration policy ‘on the hoof’ in a bid to overcome the scandal.

The Government has promised that the Windrush generation and their families can stay in the UK – despite earlier threats to deport them.

And ministers have said that those caught up in the scandal be given compensation. 

The pledges came after both the PM and her successor as Home Secretary, Ms Rudd, faced a barrage of criticism for the fiasco.

Ms Rudd is trying to cling on to her job as a row rages over what she knew about illegal immigration targets used by the Home Office – and whether she has misled MPs about them.

Today’s letter, spearheaded by Tottenham MP David Lammy (pictured in the Commons) but backed by politicians from the SNP, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru too, says the promised must be put down in law ‘without delay’

Today’s letter, spearheaded by Tottenham MP David Lammy but backed by politicians from the SNP, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru too, says the promised must be put down in law ‘without delay’.

Cabinet minister reveals his horror at the Windrush scandal  

The Local Government Secretary (pictured in Downing Street last week)  whose parents came to Britain from Pakistan in the 1960s, said he was 'really concerned' when he heard the accounts of those caught up in the fiasco emerge

The Local Government Secretary (pictured in Downing Street last week)  whose parents came to Britain from Pakistan in the 1960s, said he was ‘really concerned’ when he heard the accounts of those caught up in the fiasco emerge

Sajid Javid has revealed his horror at the Windrush scandal –  and that his immediate thought was ‘it could have been me, my mum or dad’.

The Local Government Secretary, whose parents came to Britain from Pakistan in the 1960s, said he was ‘really concerned’ when he heard the accounts of those caught up in the fiasco emerge.

But he pleaded with voters not to punish the Tories in local elections this week for the scandal – insisting the Government is cleaning up the mess. 

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, he said:  ‘I was really concerned when I first started hearing and reading about some of the issues. 

‘It immediately impacted me. I’m a ­second-generation migrant. My parents came to this country from Pakistan, just like the Windrush generation.

‘They came to this country after the Second World War to help rebuild it, they came from Commonwealth countries, they were asked to come in to [do] work that some people would describe as unattractive – my dad worked in a cotton mill, he worked as a bus driver.

‘When I heard about the Windrush ­issue I thought, That could be my mum … it could be my dad … it could be my uncle … it could be me.’  

The BBC reported that one unnamed Conservative MP has also signed the letter.

It states: ‘We are concerned that immigration policy made on the hoof, as has been the case over the last two weeks in the wake of the Windrush crisis, risks creating further problems and is not a suitable manner in which to make significant changes to our immigration policy.

‘Proper legislative means are the only acceptable manner in which to protect and uphold the rights of Commonwealth citizens.

‘Pronouncements from Ministers with no statutory or legal backing are simply not good enough’

‘Following what so many have endured, there is an understandable lack of trust within the Windrush and wider Commonwealth community.

‘Verbal promises that individuals will not be subject to immigration enforcement without backing from legislation, formal guidance and changes to immigration rules represent a rewriting of immigration policy from the despatch box, not the statute book.’

They demand to know if compensation will be paid to all Windrush immigrants for the pain and trauma they have suffered. 

And they warned ministers that the high threshold of documentation being demanded of the immigrants is simply not possible to provide in some cases.

Mr Lammy said: ‘Government ministers cannot simply make up immigration policy as they go along. 

‘The Home Office is in absolute chaos and the Windrush children simply don’t trust Home Office officials. 

‘After all that they have been put through nobody can blame them. 

‘The Home Office still can’t tell us how many Windrush citizens have been deported, detained and stripped of their rights. Frankly, why should the Windrush children believe what the Home Office says?’

Theresa May (pictured today on her way to church in Maidenhead) has faced stinging criticism over the Windrush scandal

Theresa May (pictured today on her way to church in Maidenhead) has faced stinging criticism over the Windrush scandal

He added:  ‘Warm words don’t cut it – the rights of Commonwealth citizens must be enshrined and protected in law without delay. 

‘We need details about the compensation package, we need clarification of the evidence that the Home Office is now demanding and we need guarantees that no Windrush children will face enforcement action.’

Another leaked memo shows Amber Rudd did know about 10% deportation target 

Another leaked memo shows Amber Rudd did know about deportation targets.

Amber Rudd wrote to Theresa May setting out plans to increase the number of illegal immigrants booted out of the country by 10 per cent.

The letter, revealed in The Guardian, was sent in January last year.

Ms Rudd has said she does not know about specific deportation targets – but has not denied knowing about the 10 per cent figure.

However, her backers have argued the 10 per cent number was an ‘ambition’ not a target.

The distinction has been dismissed as desperate ‘spin’ by her critics.    

The letter comes as  Sajid Javid has revealed his horror at the Windrush scandal –  and that his immediate thought was ‘it could have been me, my mum or dad’.

The Local Government Secretary, whose parents came to Britain from Pakistan in the 1960s, said he was ‘really concerned’ when he heard the accounts of those caught up in the fiasco emerge.

But he pleaded with voters not to punish the Tories in local elections this week for the scandal – insisting the Government is cleaning up the mess.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, he said:  ‘I was really concerned when I first started hearing and reading about some of the issues. 

‘It immediately impacted me. I’m a ­second-generation migrant. My parents came to this country from Pakistan, just like the Windrush generation.

‘They came to this country after the Second World War to help rebuild it, they came from Commonwealth countries, they were asked to come in to [do] work that some people would describe as unattractive – my dad worked in a cotton mill, he worked as a bus driver.

‘When I heard about the Windrush ­issue I thought, That could be my mum … it could be my dad … it could be my uncle … it could be me.’  



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