Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended
6 years ago

Westminster today: Amber Rudd defends government over Windrush scandal as Theresa May insists 'hostile environment' will stay - as it happened

Follow today's live coverage from Westminster here

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
Wednesday 25 April 2018 03:26 EDT
Comments
David Davis on Brexit trade bill: hardest part is proving 'what have we got for this?'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Amber Rudd has defended the government over the Windrush fiasco as she appeared in front of the Home Affairs Committee.

Jeremy Corbyn had earlier called on the Home Secretary to “take responsibility and resign” over the scandal, which has engulfed the government in recent days.

During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Corbyn also challenged Theresa May to explain why she ignored Home Office warnings about the potential discrimination caused by the “hostile environment” policies introduced during Ms May’s tenure at the Home Office.

He pointed to an internal memo from the department in 2014 which said the approach could make it harder for people, such as the Windrush generation, to find homes and “provoke discrimination”.

Ms May, formerly home secretary, replied by quoting Labour's Liam Byrne talking of a hostile environment when immigration minister under the previous Labour administration.

As it happened...

6 years ago

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 10:23
6 years ago

Around 50 MPs have accompanied Labour's Ruth Smeeth to Church House in Westminster, where she is due to give evidence to the party's disciplinary hearing into a Labour member, Marc Wadsworth, who is suspended for alleged antisemitism.

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 10:35
6 years ago
Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 10:57
6 years ago
Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 11:16
6 years ago

A demonstration, organised by the Labour Against the Witchhunt group and Brighton and Hove Momentum, is taking place outside the disciplinary hearing of Marc Wadworth, who was suspended by Labour after heckling Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth at the launch of a report on antisemitism.

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 11:34
6 years ago

Don't go anywhere - PMQs is getting underway shortly...

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 11:57
6 years ago

Theresa May is on her feet, and PMQs is underway.

The prime minister starts by paying tribute to the family of Stephen Lawrence, who she says have "fought heroically to make sure that their son's life and death will never be forgotten".

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 12:04
6 years ago

Watch PMQs live here:

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 12:07
6 years ago

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 12:07
6 years ago

Jeremy Corbyn asks Theresa May whether Windrush immigrants affected by the government's immigration clampdown will be "fully compensated".

In a clear dig at Labour over its antisemitism row, the PM replies that there is a need for everyone to work to "stamp out racism in every form".

She adds:

"Everybody will see the action the government has taken is because we know the Windrush generation are British, they are part of us and we will ensure that."

Corbyn says four years ago a Home Office memo suggested "hostile environment" polices would make things harder for the Windrush generation and asks why May, then the Home Secretary, ignored it.

May says the government wants to "flush illegal migrants out" and create a "much more hostile environment if you are here illegally" - words she attributes to former Labour immigration minister Liam Byrne.

Kristin Hugo25 April 2018 12:14

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in