Hubert Howard, a 62-year-old Windrush generation member who arrived in Britain in 1960 aged three, has been granted British citizenship after a 13-year legal battle with the Home Office. He remains critically ill in hospital, with his family attributing his deteriorating health to the stress of fighting the department’s refusal to acknowledge his legal status.
Howard’s family and friends are calling for a government apology and fast-track compensation, saying the Home Office’s systemic failures contributed to his illness. He was sacked from his job in 2012, prevented from visiting his dying mother in Jamaica, and pushed thousands of pounds into debt while trying to prove his right to be in the UK.
His lawyer, Connie Sozi, expressed dismay at the “overall injustice”, noting that Howard’s life “disintegrated” due to uncertainty over his immigration status. She had to gather evidence for legal action during hospital interviews. Howard’s daughter, Maresha, said he felt humiliated receiving citizenship only as a “concession to his ill-health” and needs an apology and compensation.
Tyrone McGibbon, a lifelong friend, said the prolonged battle had “killed him” and questioned why no compensation had been paid despite promises from Theresa May. The case echoes other Windrush tragedies, including Jashwa Moses, who died shortly after securing citizenship, and Sarah O’Connor and Richard Stewart, who died before receiving compensation or apologies.
Howard, who has not left the UK since 1960, first encountered document issues in 2005. He made over 50 phone calls to the Home Office over 13 years to resolve his status. Despite his right to be in the UK being eventually confirmed, his family say the compensation scheme launched in March has been too slow to help those in urgent need.
