The new home secretary has pledged to “do right” by the Windrush generation, distancing himself from Theresa May’s rhetoric.
Sajid Javid, who replace Amber Rudd on Monday, said that use of the word “hostile” has been “incorrect” and “unhelpful”, and did not “represent our values as a country”.
Javid acknowledged Rudd’s departure after she misled MPs over targets for the enforced removal of illegal immigrants.
“Of course, it’s not just about personnel change; it’s also about action, and that’s exactly what you’ll be seeing from my department,” he said. Javid plans to review the Home Office’s use of internal targets for deportation.
However, the prime minister defended the targets.
“When I was home secretary we did have targets, targets for ensuring we were dealing with illegal immigrants.”
“I think if you ask any member of the public they will say that they do want government making sure that people who are here illegally are removed,” she said on Monday.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott questioned Javid’s commitment to creating any change.
“The Windrush generation was my parents’ generation. I believe – and most British people believe – that they have been treated appallingly,” she said.
“And he will be judged not on the statements he makes this afternoon. He will be judged on what he does to put the situation right and get justice for the Windrush generation.”
In response to questioning from Labour MPs, Javid said: “I myself am a second generation migrant. Like the Caribbean Windrush generation, my parents came to this country from the Commonwealth in the 1960s. They too came to help rebuild this country.
“So when I heard that people who are outstanding pillars of their community were being impacted simply for not having the right documents to prove their legal status in the UK, I thought it could be my mum, my brother, my uncle – even me.
“That’s why I am so personally committed and invested to resolving the difficulties faced by the people of the Windrush generation, who have built their lives here and contributed so much.”