Lib Dems call out Government on Windrush Scandal expense

Responding to new details of the Windrush scandal, Lib Dems Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey (pictured) has called for the Home Office to be stripped of responsibility for immigration altogether.

In a letter to the Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid revealed that of the 164 people who were wrongly detained or deported, 16 have died. This is up from the 11 who had been identified as deceased last month.

The letter also revealed that the Home Office has spent a staggering £6.05 million of taxpayers' money in response to the Windrush scandal. This includes over £165,000 on independent advisors and consultants and over £56600 on external legal advice.

Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

"Each month, the scale of the damage done by the Windrush scandal becomes clearer".

"We now know that at least 16 people who were wrongfully detained or deported have since passed away and will never receive any apology or compensation for the appalling wrongs done to them."

"And we've also learned that the Home Office has now spent more than £6 million responding to the scandal - money that could've been far better spent fixing our immigration system and investing in public services."

"The Liberal Democrats demand better. We will prevent a repeat of the Windrush scandal by dismantling the Tories' hostile environment and taking responsibility from immigration away from the Home Office and its toxic culture."