Patrick Vernon

Honoured to Chair the Launch of the Windrush Justice Inquiry Report at the House of Lord

Patrick Vernon chaired the launch of the Windrush Justice Inquiry Report and the People’s Inquiry inside the House of Lords. The event was hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamin, whose lifelong advocacy for the Windrush generation helped establish Windrush Day and the Windrush Monument. Her leadership continues to guide the national pursuit of justice and recognition.

The gathering brought together survivors, lawyers, academics, campaigners and community leaders, all committed to truth, accountability, and long-overdue systemic change.

Clive Foster MBE shared reflections from his first 100 days as Windrush Commissioner, outlining how his work can align with and strengthen the People’s Inquiry.

A powerful presentation was delivered by Priscellia “Pyhia” Robinson LLM, LLB, whose call for a genuinely independent, community-led inquiry underscored a central truth: justice cannot be delivered by the very institutions responsible for the harm.

Testimonies from Hetticia McIntosh, Charles Wenjiora, and Pamela Trotman grounded the room in lived reality. Their words carried the weight of ongoing trauma — the pain, loss and injustice caused by the Home Office and highlighted the urgency for meaningful reform.

Key Voices and Critical Interventions

Throughout the evening, leading experts contributed important insights:

• Martin Forde KC on urgent improvements needed in the compensation scheme

• Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo MBE on challenging harmful Home Office decision-making

• Dr. Rochelle Burgess on trauma, healing and restoring dignity through storytelling

• Roland Houslin on barriers to pension loss claims

• Pauline Campbell on adopting a pre-sentencing style harm assessment to strengthen compensation and status cases

Further contributions came from Kojo Kyerewaa (BLM UK) and the Windrush Justice Community Collective, who highlighted the campaign to remove the Windrush Compensation Scheme from Home Office control:  a change many view as essential for fairness and trust.

Pamela Robotham, Chair of the Windrush Justice Clinic, closed the event with a forward-looking message, outlining plans for a January 2026 Symposium that will formally begin the People’s Inquiry process.

This event was made possible by the dedicated organising team:
Subira Cameron-Goppy, Anna Steiner, Catherine Evans, Dr. Gifty Edila, and Fezzan Ahmed, whose commitment to justice, truth and community ensured a powerful and impactful evening.

For deeper insight into how the government must support the mental wellbeing of survivors still living with the trauma of this scandal, please read my blog on the Windrush Covenant: Here