AMBER Rudd has been pressed to reveal how many people in Scotland have been subject to wrongful deportation as a result of the Windrush controversy.
Ross Greer, the external affairs spokesman for the Scottish Greens, has put the demand to the Home Secretary, less than 24 hours after she was forced to apologise for the “appalling” treatment they had received.
“It is shocking to learn British citizens who have every right to live in this country are being harassed by the British authorities as a result of the deliberate creation of a ‘hostile environment’ by your government. That someone could have their life shattered by wrongful deported brings shame to the UK,” wrote Greer in a letter sent to Rudd yesterday. “It is of the utmost importance anyone who has been a victim of wrongful deportation receives the support they need to return to the UK. I would therefore like to know how many people in Scotland have been subject to a wrongful deportation. I would also like to seek assurances that the UK Government will reverse its decision to create the hostile environment which is causing so much distress to people who live here.”
The Home Office was heavily criticised for its handling of the issue, which has led to elderly residents who arrived in Britain more than 50 years ago from the West Indies being told that they are in the UK illegally.
Senior civil servants initially downplayed the plight of the residents, who arrived with their parents after the Second World War, because they believed it was limited to a handful of cases.
In the Commons on Monday, Rudd admitted she was not aware whether any of those affected had been deported, even though her immigration minister said that some had been removed “in error”.
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