UK deportation policy slammed as flight delayed ahead of royal visit
Published:Tuesday | February 22, 2022 | 12:09 AM
The postponement of a deportation flight from the United Kingdom to Jamaica has been attributed to fear of a public-relations disaster for the impending visit to Kingston by British royals amid the Windrush scandal and claims of victimisation of Jamaicans.
Chairman of the Windrush National Organisation, Dr Desmond Jaddoo, believes that the Home Office has probably taken stock of the issues highlighted by campaigners.
The Voice newspaper reported on Monday that a deportation flight has reportedly been delayed until after the visit of British Royals Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, scheduled for late March.
The visit is part of a Caribbean tour to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
“It’s pretty hollow in all honesty. In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they went ahead with mass deportation flights. Why would a visit of the Royal couple to Jamaica stop it?” Jaddoo questioned.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, four deportation flights have arrived in Jamaica - the most recent in November 2021.
“We do feel that some of those concerns are being taken on board and hence, potentially, why a rethink of a deportation flight. It’s not to say that these flights will not be happening,” Jaddoo said.
Jaddoo said that some charter flights have left the UK “virtually empty” and at “extreme cost” to British taxpayers.
“Taxpayers’ money have been immensely misused. How can you justify spending £200,000 on a flight for five people?” he lamented.