Windrush child seeks to talk about lifetime’s struggles at roadshow

A WINDRUSH child who felt like an “illegal immigrant” in the UK for 52 years plans to attend a roadshow in Leeds where victims of the scandal will have a chance to give their accounts.

Lorenzo Hoyte, 62, who came to Leeds from Barbados as a 10-year-old, was not granted a UK passport until last month.

He has endured a lifetime of struggles due to not being classed as a British citizen.

Mr Hoyte, now of Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, said he plans to be at the Government’s ‘Windrush: Lessons Learned Review’ roadshow from 4.30pm to 7pm on Monday, October 8 at The Reginald Centre, Chapeltown Road, Leeds.

Wendy Williams, independent adviser to the review and Martin Forde QC, independent adviser to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, will be at the roadshow.

Mr Hoyte was unable to attend his mother or brother’s funerals abroad because he was not classed as a British citizen.

He could not get a full-time job as a welder and has had to do agency work. He could not claim benefits or get a mortgage.

Mr Hoyte said: “The Government could learn a lot if they just listened to people. I felt like an illegal immigrant because I was treated as an illegal immigrant.”

Ms Williams said: “I need to hear directly from you if you have been personally affected.”