Home Office officials ‘were ‘institutionally ignorant’ about race issues’, report into Windrush scandal is expected to say
- Report expected today will say Home Office was ‘institutionally ignorant’
- It emerged in 2018 that thousands of UK citizens were banded illegal immigrants
- The report is also set to examine Theresa May’s ‘hostile environment’ policies
The official report into the Windrush scandal will say the Home Office was ‘institutionally ignorant’ about race issues, sources said last night.
It emerged in 2018 that the Home Office had branded thousands of legal UK citizens as illegal immigrants – at least 83 of whom were deported.
The inquiry report, due today, is expected to say there was ‘institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness towards race in the department.’
The Home Office is set to be branded ‘institutionally ignorant’ about race issues in a report on the Windrush scandal today
It will also conclude the department was too slow to react when problems surfaced.
The report has already been hit by claims that its findings have been watered down.
The phrase ‘institutionally racist’, which means discrimination is the norm in an organisation, was reportedly in an earlier draft, but was removed.
The report is also expected to examine Theresa May’s ‘hostile environment’ policies when she was home secretary.
Officials are reported to have ignored warnings that the policies could have an impact on people living here legally, such as Caribbean migrants who came to Britain from 1948 onwards, aboard vessels such as the ‘Empire Windrush’.
Former home secretary Sajid Javid commissioned the inquiry after the scandal came to light and led to the resignation of his predecessor, Amber Rudd.
Report author Wendy Williams, an Inspector of Constabulary, submitted her final version to the Home Secretary on Wednesday.