Windrush man who served in British army for nine years told there is no record of him

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. There can only be one explanation for that, and I’m afraid I do think it’s racism.” Jamie Beagent, a human rights lawyer at Leigh Day who is assisting around 30 Windrush victims with their compensation applications on a pro-bono basis, said the Home Office was “misconceived” in its argument that people would be able to present their cases sufficiently enough to be fairly compensated without legal advice. Certainly, the cases that we’re conducting, it’s taking qualified solicitors a significant amount of time to help clients’ individual cases and claims.” Mr Beagent said the lack of legal support was causing some people who are eligible for compensation not to apply because the process is “mind-boggling” to them, and warned there would be miscarriages of justice because people won’t be able to present their cases in a manner that satisfies the Home Office. “Based on anecdotally people not applying when they’re entitled to, it would suggest people are suffering from the financial consequences of what’s gone on, without having a prospect of recompense.” Martin Forde QC, who devised the Windrush compensation scheme, said the main issue was not the lack of support but a lack of publicity about the service offered by Citizens Advice and a wider distrust in the Home Office among those affected. Mother of Windrush man Dexter Bristol who died after months of immigration problems seeks justice “Such has been the support throughout the country for the Windrush victims and such has been the feeling of national shame I do not believe taxpayers would be anything other than supportive of funding support for those making claims.” A Home Office spokesperson said the department was “currently looking at what more we can do on providing support for claimants”.