Windrush man’s son outraged at Home Office DNA request

Human rights lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie said: “I’m not surprised that this has now become an issue in the context of Windrush.

“The treatment of black people generally is so bad across society and particularly by the Home Office.”

In some immigration cases the Home Office can ask applicants to provide more evidence of their biological relationship with a family member such as a birth certificate, DNA test results or a UK court order.

But Ms McKenzie said this was the first time she had heard about DNA requests from Windrush victims.

She believes they are being held to a different standard compared with families of other political scandals, such as the Post Office.

“It’s absolutely shocking,” she told the BBC.

“I think racism is at the heart of this.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Claims for the Windrush Compensation Scheme are considered on their individual merits.

“When necessary, further information may be requested to ensure we can issue the maximum award available, at the earliest point possible and we will support individuals on how to provide further evidence.”

They added: “The government is committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal and making sure those who are eligible and entitled to compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme receive the compensation they rightly deserve.”