Windrush scandal is ‘consequence of government’s hostility and not just an admin error’, Sadiq Khan claims

The Mayor added that “institutional racism” is rife throughout most organisations across Britain.
Chloe Chaplain29 April 2018
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Sadiq Khan said the Windrush scandal is a “consequence of the hostile environment created by the government” and claimed “institutional racism” is rife throughout most organisations across Britain.

The Mayor of London, who has called for the Home Secretary to resign over the issue, said that it could not be blamed purely on an administrative error that it “isn’t an an anomaly”.

He also claimed “institutional racism” is rife throughout most organisations across Britain and said the government had been “too slow” in tackling the problem.

Speaking ITV's Peston on Sunday, Mr Khan said: “The Windrush generation is not just a question of competence, it is also a question of conduct.

“But also I think there needs to be an acceptance that what happened to the Windrush generation isn’t an anomaly, it’s not due to an administrative error it’s a consequence of the hostile environment created by this government.

Perplexed: Amber Rudd (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images

He said that, 25 years on from the murder of Stephen Lawrence, there had been "huge progress" in tackling the issue racism but also said that the country should be, but added: "We should be impatient for change."

"I think most institutions in our country have problems with institutional racism,” he said.

He continued: "I suspect there is still unwitting prejudice in the main political parties, dare I say it in ITV, dare I say it in the police service and other public authorities as well.

"The key thing is the leadership at the top must make sure there is a zero tolerance towards this, we have policies in place and an action plan to address that.

Speaking ITV's Peston on Sunday, Mr Khan said: “The Windrush generation is not just a question of competence, it is also a question of conduct."
ITV

"I think we've been too slow and we're going to accelerate the progress."

On the subject of racism, he said that Ken Livingston should be expelled from the Labour party over anti-Semitic comments made, adding: “There can be no place in our parties for anybody with racist views.”

Mr Khan also called on US President Donald Trump to apologise for retweeting the tweets of a far-right group which has been set up "intentionally to sow these seeds of division".

Last year, Mr Trump was heavily criticised after he re-tweeted three videos posted by Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen.

Donald Trump will reportedly 'largely' avoid the capital during his UK visit
AFP/Getty Images

Mr Trump is set to visit the UK in July and Mr Khan said he believed there would be protests, but urged: "They must be peaceful, they must be lawful."

Asked whether he would join the protests, Mr Khan said: "As the Mayor of London, it's probably inappropriate for me to join a protest when foreign leaders come to the UK."

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