Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh were wrongfully deprived of their UK status in the 1970s and 1980s. They faced significant disruption over decades, eventually moving to St Lucia. The Home Office only restored their British passports in 2020 amid the Windrush scandal, which involved many wrongful deportations and denials of rights. Despite seeking compensation, they were denied three times, leading Hetticia to refuse an offer and petition for legal aid for survivors instead. Government initiatives have been criticized for delays and insufficient support in compensating victims of the scandal.
Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh had their UK status revoked in the 1970s and 1980s, through no fault of their own. The married parents of three were forced to start again in St Lucia, more than 4,000 miles away.
Despite the significant disruption to their family life, NHS care and pensions, the McIntoshes were each refused compensation from the Windrush compensation scheme three times between 2021 and this year.
Hetticia was eventually offered 40,000 this year after a legal services firm, the Southwark Law Centre, took on her case. However, Vanderbilt has received a nil offer.
Hetticia's experience has convinced her that only expert lawyers can tackle the system. She has refused her compensation offer and started a change.org petition for legal aid for Windrush scandal survivors, which has been signed by nearly 20,000 people.
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