UK government sued over refusal to accept all 'Windrush' scandal reforms

Britain's government on Thursday faced legal action by campaigners over its refusal to accept key recommendations by an inquiry into the "Windrush" scandal, which affected thousands of black post-war immigrants.

Interior minister Suella Braverman, a virulent critic of "woke" politics, in January refused to accept all of the changes previously promised by the Conservative government.

The group Black Equity Organisation, created last year to campaign for the civil rights of black Britons, said it was seeking a judicial review of the home secretary's decision.

"The Home Office must be opened up to independent scrutiny and forced to honour the promises made in its name," the group's chief executive Wanda Wyporska said in a statement.

"Windrush survivors have been through enough and this latest twist in a shameful story adds insult to injury," she said.

The MV Empire Windrush ship was one of the vessels that brought workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands to help fill UK labour shortages after World War II.

Five years ago, campaigners revealed that thousands of the legitimate British citizens had been wrongly detained or deported under the government's hardline immigration policies.

Many lost homes and jobs, and were denied access to healthcare and benefits. Some died before their names could be cleared.

The Black Equity Organisation presented a petition with more than 53,000 signatories to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's offices at 10 Downing Street, including black British stars from sports and acting.

'Slap in the face'

Patrick Vernon, 61, a campaigner whose parents were among the Windrush generation, was with others including Wyporska delivering the petition.

He told AFP that Braverman's stance was "a slap in the face" for those targeted in the illegal crackdown, including 26 people who have died still waiting for government compensation.

"After all this time the government have not righted the wrongs, so now we're taking legal action against the government," Vernon said.

After the scandal came to light, the independent inquiry issued 30 recommendations, which Braverman's predecessor agreed to adopt in full.

But Braverman rejected three measures: more powers for Britain's independent chief inspector of borders, a commissioner to safeguard migrants' interests and the holding of reconciliation events.

Responding to the legal action, her ministry said it was seeking community engagement "through alternative means" to the recommendation for formal reconciliation events.

On the other two recommendations, the Home Office said it was "inviting challenge and scrutiny in a more efficient way".

"We remain absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of Windrush and have paid or offered more than £64 million ($80 million) in compensation to the people affected," a spokesperson said.

At the unveiling last June of a commemorative statue in London's Waterloo station, Prince William said: "Every part of British life is better for the half a million men and women of the Windrush generation".