UK’s May apologises to Caribbean countries over treatment of post-war migrants
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May apologised to representatives from 12 Caribbean countries on Tuesday over recent harsh treatment by immigration bureaucrats of people who arrived in Britain as children between the late 1940s and the early 1970s.
Happening now! Historic meeting between #UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Caribbean Prime Ministers at Number 10 Downing Street to discuss #Windrush generation issue and other matters of mutual interest #DiplomacyMatters pic.twitter.com/3Sw2mxRU6L
— Hon. Mark Brantley (@markbrantley3) April 17, 2018
The so-called “Windrush generation,” whose parents were invited to Britain to plug labor shortfalls after World War Two, have been caught up in a tightening of immigration rules overseen by May in 2012 when she was interior minister.
“I want to apologise to you today because we are genuinely sorry for any anxiety that has been caused,” May told leaders and diplomats from the Caribbean countries, who were in London for a summit of Commonwealth heads of government.
“I take this very seriously. The Home Secretary apologised to the House of Commons yesterday for any anxiety caused and I want to apologise to you today.” – PM @Theresa_May on meeting Caribbean Commonwealth leaders pic.twitter.com/iT7ynjAcLc
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 17, 2018