The Eurythmics star joins a host of famous names backing families who say they were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, deported or threatened with deportation by the Home Office. Actor Colin McFarlane and Baroness Doreen Lawrence have also joined the Justice4Windrush campaign, which launches tomorrow.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer they claim the Home Office “continues to inflict suffering” by failing to compensate victims five years on from a scheme being launched.
Singer Annie, 69, is releasing an exclusive re-recording of her 1992 hit Why, featuring the celebrity Windrush supporters.
Organisers will also launch a film, The Home Office Scandal, about the lives of victims.
Annie said: “We want to put Windrush front and centre, to ensure the Windrush generation are seen, heard and healed.
“We need to put an immediate stop to the tragic injustice of this Home Office scandal. Windrush victims deserve nothing less.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government remains absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal and making sure those affected receive the compensation they rightly deserve.”
“We have paid more than £75 million in compensation and we continue to make improvements so people receive the maximum award as quickly as possible, whilst providing extensive support to help people access and apply to the compensation scheme.
“The scheme will remain open as long as it is needed, so no one is prevented from making a claim. We are continuing to reach out to, and engage with, communities across the UK to encourage more people to come forward, ensuring they have correct information on whether they may be eligible and necessary guidance to support their application.”
