Windrush grandmother Paulette Wilson receives face-to-face apology from minister
The Immigration Minister has apologised in person to Windrush grandmother Paulette Wilson, telling a meeting in Parliament that she would sort out people’s plight as rapidly as possible.
Caroline Nokes gave a personal apology to Mrs Wilson, from Wolverhampton, a former cook in the House of Commons who was locked up in an immigration centre and almost deported despite living in the UK for 50 years.
Addressing Mrs Wilson at an event in Parliament, Ms Nokes said: “I wanted to say that I was personally sorry to you, and I mean that most sincerely.
“I recognise that we as a Government have a huge job to do to regain trust. I do not underestimate that by one tiny jot.”
She added: “I just wish to put, absolutely, formally on record, how sorry I am that this has happened on my watch, and how determined I am on my watch to get it right.”
Mrs Wilson was invited to speak later by Labour MP David Lammy, and spoke only to express her gratitude to those who assisted her.
"Thanks to everyone for being human, and not racist,” she said, prompting loud applause.
The event, officially a gathering of the parliamentary all-party group on race and community, was organised by Mr Lammy, who has been a prominent voice on the Windrush issue.
Another person who spoke was Sylvester Marshall, who was wrongly refused NHS treatment for cancer.
Mr Marshall said he had that same day finally received his first dose of the radiotherapy treatment he had been seeking.
“I’ve been trying a long time to table paperwork, and each time I’ve tried they tell me I’m illegal,” he said. “I keep telling them that I’m not, I’m British, and they didn’t believe me.”
Jeremy Corbyn told the event that the settling of Windrush cases was 'a victory for decency around the country', but warned that it was the 'wholly avoidable' consequence of the Government’s 'hostile environment' immigration policy.
The treatment of the Windrush generation showed 'a corrosion on our lives and a corrosion on our society', he said.
Ms Nokes offered no new policies but said she would pledge to put right what had happened.
New Home Secretary Sajid Javid – who replaced Amber Rudd who resigned over the issue on Sunday – said he felt angered by what happened to the Windrush generation.
He said safeguards were being put in place to ensure that ongoing enforcement measures against illegal immigrants do not impact on Windrush migrants.
In PMQs yesterday Theresa May told MPs that there would be a 'full review of lessons learned' from the Windrush row, offering 'full access to all relevant information in the Home Office, including policy papers and casework decisions'.
Last night MPs were due to vote on a Labour motion for confidential Government papers on Windrush to be released.
Conservative MPs were on a three line whip to vote down the move, which would see the publication of all correspondence and advice on Windrush between ministers, senior officials and advisors from May 2010 until now.
