By ADF Newsdesk –

New role aims to restore dignity, justice and trust for those impacted by one of Britain’s most shocking immigration scandals

In a powerful move to address the ongoing consequences of the Windrush scandal, Reverend Clive Foster has been appointed as the new Windrush Commissioner, pledging to act as a “trusted voice” for victims.

Appointed by the government on 18 June, Rev. Foster will serve a three-year term, during which he hopes to rebuild trust and help individuals affected secure the justice they have long been denied.

A respected community leader and senior pastor at Pilgrim Church in Nottingham, Rev. Foster has also been instrumental in supporting those impacted through his founding of the Nottingham Windrush Support Forum.

A Scandal That Shook the Nation

The Windrush scandal came to light in 2018, revealing that the Home Office had failed to properly record thousands of Caribbean migrants who legally arrived in the UK between the 1940s and 1970s.

Despite their right to remain in the country, many were wrongly labelled as illegal immigrants under increasingly hostile immigration policies.

The consequences were devastating: people were denied housing, employment, NHS treatment, and in some cases, detained or deported, despite having lived in the UK for decades.

Rev. Foster shared his deep anger over the injustice: “I am terribly angry that people who came here to rebuild the country, gave the best of their lives, find themselves in a situation where they feel like they’re going to be either deported, detained, or denied basic services. This must never happen again.”

Huddersfield Resident William Hunt was a victim of the Windrush Scandal, receiving letters from the Home Office ordering him to leave the country, despite being a British citizen who’d lived in the UK since 1957.

Restoring Trust, Reclaiming Rights

One of Rev. Foster’s key goals is to reassure and encourage those still struggling with their immigration status to come forward.

“This whole scandal started because people couldn’t prove their rights due to missing documents,” he told the BBC.

“I will be raising the profile of people’s status so they can get it sorted out.”

The Home Office has confirmed that Rev. Foster’s appointment brings independent oversight to its efforts, with a focus on transparency and accountability in how it handles Windrush cases going forward.

More Than Compensation: A Call for Dignity

While more than £110 million has been paid out to over 3,000 claimants under the Windrush Compensation Scheme, this is only a fraction of the estimated 15,000 people thought to be eligible when the scheme was launched in 2019.

Rev. Foster stressed that financial redress must go hand-in-hand with respect and acknowledgement: “We want people to recognise that there’s no shame in making a claim.

“If they need support, they should get it. This isn’t just about money — it’s about restoring dignity and respect.”

To help more victims access support, the Home Office has also made available an additional £1.5 million fund this year to assist claimants.

A Vision of Justice and Belonging

By the end of his term, Rev. Foster hopes to see real, lasting change:

• More people securing their legal status

• Wider access to fair compensation

• And above all, a restored sense of belonging for those wrongly treated

“This is about dignity, fairness, and being accepted as British citizens in their own country,” Rev. Foster said.

“No one should ever feel like a stranger in the place they call home.”

His appointment brings fresh hope to many. While the wounds of the Windrush scandal remain raw, the fight for recognition and justice continues, and with Rev. Foster at the helm, no one will be left behind.

Are you or someone you know affected by the Windrush scandal? Reach out to the Windrush Advocacy Group or call the official Windrush Helpline on 0800 678 1925 for confidential support.