Dear Supporters
Many of you will have seen the news report about the Home Office's most senior civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam resigning his post, stating that he will be making a claim for constructive dismissal over harassment and bullying. In a statement he read to the BBC he said there had been a viscous campaign against him and that he "received allegations that Ms Patel's conduct towards employees included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands".
That behaviour had "created fear and needed some bravery to call out".
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51687287
It is believed these alleged behaviours and bullying included instructing Civil Servants to defy the court if appeal ruling which stated those people detained who had been impacted by a lack of phone signal and thus denied access to legal advice should not be deported.
https://twitter.com/BellaSankey/status/1233879114253324288?s=19
Given that we were in touch with those being taken for the 24 hour period from 6pm the day before the flight departed, who were first told they will not be deported at all to being placed in isolation for removal at around 8pm then driven to Sheffield to the airfield arriving at approximately 3.30am and taken right up to the plane before somebody gave the instruction not to deport them at approximately 4.20am, this is of grave concern.
The nature of the ruling in the case brought by Detention Action meant that an appeal by the government the same night was always set to fail but somebody gave the instruction to remove people anyway. Having all been told they would not be removed they were thus in shock when 2 hours later this was reversed with no chance to say goodbye to families. Whilst people were being transported, we advised them when the government lost the appeal and when they told the private security guards overseeing their removal this, the guards told them it was not true and they had lost causing confusion and distress. Guards were actually googling to find out as the Home Office had not advised them.
We had to provide those being removed with a form of words to assert their legal right not to be removed with guards responding that it was nothing to do with them and to tell immigration officers at the airport.
Once they were driven on the airfield in front of the plane, 3 guards per person started to transfer people one by one, with the plane in touching distance and only then was the order given not to deport them.
It would seem from Sir Rutnam's statement that he and Civil Servants gave the instruction to adhere to the law and rightly stop the deportations at the last second whilst the government were continuing to instruct them to defy the courts and the rule of law and go ahead and deport anyway.
A statement by the Public and Commercial Services union who represent workers at the Home Office said:
"PCS trade union is concerned by the manner of the departure of Phillip Rutnam. His tenure in the Home Office was marked by a commitment to engagement with our union and members.
We were pleased to work closely, specifically on bullying and harassment. We hope his replacement continues with this commitment and work.
Allegations made regarding bullying from Ministers is deeply troubling. Our union is committed to eradication of this pervasive behaviour in the workplace, and this must be met with an equal commitment from elected officials. "
https://twitter.com/pcs_union/status/1233753760645685250?s=20
An update on Lionel, the partially blind man who has been detained despite no criminal convictions and following a fall a wwwk ago was denied medical attention, was eventually allowed to go to hospital 5 days later and he has three breaks to his ankle, the delays in setting these breaks and getting him medical care could cause long term damage and prolong any recovery, in addition this failure meant he was in excruciating pain for days and had his dignity stripped from him in the process as he was unable to walk.
Meanwhile the Windrush Lessons Learned report has still not been published, in addition to those recommendations within it being carried out, there should also be an Independent Public Inquiry into the Windrush Scandal and we invite you to sign amd share our petition calling for this please.
You may also wish to sign this related petition:
We believe the hostile environment that continues, as illustrated through the events of the past few weeks, detentions and deportations and the failure to pay the vast majority of those entitled to compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme due to the complexities of applying and lack of access to free legal representation to do so, along with the lasting trauma, distress and injustice faced by people and communities impacted, means that there should be a full and thorough independent Inquiry. Recent reports of attempts to tamper with the wording and recommendations within the unpublished Windrush Lessons Learned report demonstrate that any government led investigations cannot be trusted.
Thank you for your support.
Regards
Zita