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Windrush scandal: Tory MP is 'extremely upset' with government after constituent lost his job

Andrew Selous, left, is the MP for Nick Broderick, who lost his job and was threatened with deportation - BBC
Andrew Selous, left, is the MP for Nick Broderick, who lost his job and was threatened with deportation - BBC

The MP for a Windrush citizen has said he is "extremely upset" about the government's treatment of his constituent.

Nick Broderick came to the UK as a baby in 1962 and said he was recently threatened with deportation, and also lost his job as a coach driver after the Home Office seized his driver's license. 

As he had not been to Jamaica since he was a baby, and has health problems, the thought of being separated from his family drove him almost to suicide.

He said he still cannot work because his mental health has deteriorated due to the government's treatment of him, and although he has his license back, he does not feel safe to do his job.

Mr Selous put Mr Broderick in contact with the Home Office two years ago, when he first began his battle to be rightfully recognised as a British citizen.

He told The Telegraph: "I am extremely upset about it and I immediately helped him when he came to see me, I've raised my concerns with the government.

"I very very much hope his case is resolved. In this case I pro actively contacted Mr Broderick myself yesterday offering every possible assistance, but I have not yet heard back from him."

After Mr Selous tried to help his constituent two years ago, he did not hear back, learning of this case through the media.

He said:  "I heard via the media he has lost his job and been out of work for 13 months because his immigration status wasn't regularlised, which I was very upset about and I'm waiting to hear back from him if there's any further action that he would like me to take."

The MP also said he is upset that anyone from the Windrush generation would lose their job in such a way, explaining: "I am very upset that anyone in his situation would lose their job and I want to help him to get back into work if that's what he wants and needs to do."

Nick Broderick came into contact with authorities during an immigration check four years at the recruitment firm in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, where he worked.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today that an official told him: "I'm sorry we seem to have lost the papers you have sent in so now you are going to be deported."

Mr Broderick, whose older brother Andrew received a UK passport while serving in the British Army, told the programme he sent in reports from his school and doctor and "everybody else that I could find, but it wasn't good enough for them."

About | The “Windrush generation”
About | The “Windrush generation”

He added: "I was on tenterhooks. Then I got a visit from them and they really gave it too me about 'I have only got a few weeks to go' and you will definitely be sent back.

"That sent me into a spiral of depression which I'm only just coming out of.

"I'm still not allowed to go to the hospital, or the doctor's surgery or get a bus pass."

He currently has a biometric identity card, he told the programme, but has to regularly report to police.

He said he had contemplated what he might do if deported to Jamaica, saying: "I was actually going to commit suicide when I got there, or thereabouts."

Despite medical problems, he said he still cannot get NHS treatment.

He told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show: "And the worst thing about it, you're not allowed any NHS treatment. So if you are ill, and I know there's quite a few people in this country in this very same position that are ill at the moment, you are denied treatment. 

"I've got a really bad right foot, I can't get it done because it says here that you can't get it done or you will be flagged up and there will be no hope of you staying here.

My parents were part of the Windrush generation. Their children deserve the same chances
My parents were part of the Windrush generation. Their children deserve the same chances

"It puts you in a very dark place. I contemplated suicide at one time because I didn't want to go back to Jamaica and sit outside the airport and wait for the end.

"I discussed it with my wife...and we had a little suicide kit ready for me to go."

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary has been clear, this is about people who have built their lives here in the UK and contributed so much to our society. We don't want them to feel unwelcome or to be in any doubt about their right to remain here.

"The vast majority will already have documentation that proves their right to be here. For those that don't, we have established a new dedicated team to quickly help them get the documentation they need and ensure this is resolved as soon as possible.

"We've also set up a webpage and have been speaking to charities, community groups and High Commissioners to ensure advice and reassurance is provided to those affected.”