Local MP Chuka Umunna (Streatham) today (18 April) asked prime minister Theresa May to correct a statement she made in the House of Commons about one of his constituents – whose plight was among the first public indications of the serious problems facing of children of the Windrush generation.
A “Brixton Respect” solidarity event for the campaign to stop attempts to deport and deny services to those who cannot prove their UK residency status is being organised for 5 to 7pm in Windrush Square on Friday (20 April).
Prime minister May had told MPs that “Albert Thompson” – not his actual name – who was refused treatment for prostate cancer because he could not prove his UK residency status, would now be receiving treatment. An increasing number of people who arrived as children without their own passports have revealed such problems as well as attempts to deport them.
In a point of order in the House of Commons Umunna said: “That is incorrect. He needs radiotherapy treatment, but my constituent has not received his treatment, and if there are any plans that have been made for him to get this treatment then he certainly has not been informed of it. That is a fact, and to say otherwise is wrong.
“He is making a fresh application for indefinite leave to remain. The Prime Minister needs to commit to that application being processed immediately and at the very least him getting indefinite leave to remain so that he can get this treatment, which the Royal Marsden Hospital is not prepared to give him unless he can pay upfront or prove his right to residency.
“I am sure the Prime Minister will not want to have misled the House and will want to come here and correct the record.
“There have also been attempts to park blame for this particular situation at the door of previous home secretaries and the current home secretary when much of this flows from the decisions made by the prime minister during her time as home secretary.”
Theresa May was the author of the policy of creating a “hostile atmosphere” for people her government thought should not be allowed to stay in the UK.
