“Heartbreaking” rings hollow in the House of Commons while the suffering of the Windrush generation continues (Report, 24 April). Four weeks ago I read the story of Albert Thompson – who after 44 years in the UK had his immigration status called into question and was denied the radiotherapy he needs to treat prostate cancer. He is yet to receive an adequate response, despite being used by Theresa May as a political pawn to shush the outcries.
Having been a primary carer for loved ones with cancer, I know it doesn’t wait. That’s why I launched a public campaign. I’ve since realised I’m not the only one who cares: 416,000 have signed a petition on Change.org and I’ve raised £45k so far in case Albert is still denied treatment. A Home Office source tells me that the vast numbers of people behind my campaign helped the government realise this wouldn’t go away. The scandal of the handling of Windrush cases is now being treated with the seriousness it deserves after months of investigation by Amelia Gentleman and the work of David Lammy. A taskforce has been created, but I worry that people will be left behind. The Home Office speaks of those who came to the UK before 1973, yet there are thousands who came between then and 1988, including Albert. They remain in turmoil, their cases disregarded.
Albert’s case could set a precedent. Petition signers over the weekend sent letters to the taskforce to get his case dealt with. Each day, I wonder what we can do next to add pressure. I don’t yet know what the future holds, but I do know that during a horrendous time, people power has given Albert strength by showing that even when institutions turn away, the humanity in the British public is there for all to see. The government needs to weed out the institutional racism inherent in its systems and try and reflect at least some of our humanity. Until it does, we won’t stop.
Jacqueline Culleton
London
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