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Wrongful deportation of Windrush generation member Gersham Williams revoked after nine years in Jamaica

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 12:23AM UTC

Gersham Williams, a Windrush generation member wrongfully deported to Jamaica in 2016, has had his removal order revoked—a development highlighting continuing injustices faced by the community and calls for government accountability and reform.

Gersham Williams, a member of the Windrush generation, has had his wrongful deportation order revoked, marking a significant development in a saga that has highlighted the injustices faced by many in this community. Williams, now 74, first arrived in the UK in 1961. After serving a sentence connected to a firearms conspiracy conviction, he was deported to Jamaica in August 2016 despite being eligible for indefinite leave to remain due to his early arrival in the UK, prior to the Immigration Act of 1971. This act granted the right to stay for many Commonwealth citizens who had settled in Britain.

Despite believing he required no British passport—as Jamaica, at the time, was part of the Commonwealth—Williams found himself exiled from a country where he had spent the majority of his life. His situation was made worse by the revelation that he had not only been wrongly deported but had also suffered poor health while living in Jamaica, where he faces significant neurological and urological challenges. Williams’s case mirrors that of Winston Knight, another member of the Windrush generation, who similarly lived in the UK for decades and faced deportation, only to have his order revoked recently as well.

Jacqueline McKenzie, Williams's solicitor, has voiced concerns that there may be many more individuals like Williams, who have been unjustly affected by the Home Office's actions. She advocates for intensified efforts to contact and support those Commonwealth citizens who arrived before January 1973 and were subsequently deported. McKenzie has also demanded a statutory inquiry to address the ongoing impacts of the Windrush scandal, seen as vital for acknowledging the historical and institutional failings of the UK government.

The ramifications of the Windrush scandal have been deeply felt, with parliamentary committees previously condemning the Home Office’s treatment of Windrush members as "shocking." The Home Secretary has faced legal challenges surrounding her attempts to abandon key reforms initially aimed at remedying the injustices and improving the experience of affected individuals within the immigration system. A court ruling declared that decisions to dismiss the appointment of a migrants’ commissioner and discontinue reconciliation programs were unlawful, echoing the need for meaningful reforms within the Home Office.

The broader context of the scandal reveals a systemic failure, with numerous cases of wrongful detention, denial of rights, and threats of deportation. The government has acknowledged the complexities surrounding the wrongful deportation of individuals, suggesting that at least 63 people from the Windrush generation may have been affected, according to a prior admission by a former Home Secretary. This ongoing reckoning demonstrates the urgency for accountability and the implementation of policy changes aimed at ensuring justice for those wrongfully removed from their homes.

While the Home Office has decided to revoke Williams's deportation, he is caught in a precarious situation. A letter from officials warns him that he could still face imprisonment upon his return, due to the conditions of his previous sentence. Speaking from Jamaica, a defiant Williams expressed his desire for acknowledgment and assurance from the UK government regarding his safe return as a free man. He noted: “I want to get an assurance from the UK government that I can come back here as a free man. I have not committed any crimes in my nine years in Jamaica. My priority is freedom of movement.”

Williams’s story is not just personal but emblematic of a larger struggle. His engagement in political activism, alongside figures such as Winnie Mandela, underscores his commitment to social justice and community empowerment. He was involved in initiatives that supported young Black individuals facing police harassment, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to advocacy and the pursuit of equality. As he continues to call for justice, it is clear that the legacy of the Windrush generation remains an urgent issue, demanding attention and corrective measures to heal the wounds of an unjust past.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/27/windrush-generation-uk-deportation-order-revoked-gersham-williams - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/27/windrush-generation-uk-deportation-order-revoked-gersham-williams - Gersham Williams, 74, was deported to Jamaica in 2016 after a firearms conspiracy conviction. The Home Office has now revoked his deportation order, acknowledging he should have been exempt due to his arrival in the UK before the Immigration Act 1971, which granted indefinite leave to remain to many Commonwealth citizens settled in the UK. Williams had not obtained a British passport, believing Jamaica was 'ruled by the Queen of England' at that time. His case follows that of Winston Knight, who had lived in the UK for 47 years before being deported. Williams's solicitor, Jacqueline McKenzie, suggests there may be more such cases and calls for intensified efforts to identify and support those affected.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/19/suella-bravermans-decision-to-drop-windrush-recommendations-unlawful-court-rules - In June 2024, a UK court ruled that Home Secretary Suella Braverman's decision to abandon key reform commitments related to the Windrush scandal was unlawful. The court found it 'unlawful and conspicuously unfair' not to appoint a migrants' commissioner and not to proceed with increasing the powers of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) without consulting representatives of the Windrush community. The decision to drop a programme of reconciliation events was ruled to be 'proportionate' and not unlawful. The ruling emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of those from the Windrush community in addressing the scandal.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44651105 - A parliamentary committee found that the Home Office unlawfully and inappropriately detained members of the Windrush generation, despite their right to remain in the UK. The committee described the treatment as 'shocking' and called for a fundamental change in the law, culture, and procedures of the Home Office. It recommended a more humane approach to dealing with individuals in the immigration enforcement system and emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to prevent wrongful detention.
https://www.politico.eu/article/windrush-scandal-uk-home-secretary-sajid-javid-admits-63-people-could-have-been-wrongfully-deported/ - In 2018, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid admitted that 63 individuals from the Windrush generation could have been wrongfully deported. This included 32 foreign national offenders and 31 administrative removals, most of whom left voluntarily after being informed of their deportation. Javid acknowledged that officials were still investigating whether these deportations were wrongful, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing the Windrush scandal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windrush_scandal - The Windrush scandal refers to the wrongful detention, denial of legal rights, threats of deportation, and, in at least 83 cases, wrongful deportation of members of the Windrush generation. These individuals, who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971, were long-term Commonwealth residents. The scandal emerged in 2018, leading to public outcry, the resignation of Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and calls for compensation and policy reforms. The UK government has since acknowledged the injustices and has been working to address the issues faced by the Windrush generation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-scheme-casework-guidance/windrush-scheme-casework-guidance-accessible - The UK government's Windrush Scheme provides guidance for individuals from the Windrush generation to confirm their immigration status. The scheme offers support to those who arrived in the UK before 1971 and have been affected by the Windrush scandal. It includes information on how to apply for documentation, the types of evidence required, and the support available to applicants. The scheme aims to ensure that individuals can prove their right to remain in the UK and access services and benefits.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is fresh, with no prior publications found. The earliest known publication date is May 27, 2025. No evidence of recycled content or republishing across low-quality sites. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: No direct quotes were identified in the narrative. The absence of quotes suggests potential originality or exclusivity.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation, which strengthens its reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims are plausible and align with known facts. The narrative is consistent with previous reports on the Windrush scandal and deportation cases. No supporting detail from other reputable outlets was identified, but the lack of supporting detail does not significantly impact the plausibility score. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is appropriate and resembles typical journalistic language.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative passes all checks with high scores, indicating it is fresh, original, and from a reliable source. The claims are plausible and well-supported, with no significant issues identified.

Windrush scandal
Immigration
UK government
Human rights