Home Office immigration chief at the centre of the Windrush scandal leaves job
Hugh Ind was at the centre of the storm over deportation targets that led to the resignation of Amber Rudd last month during the Windrush debacle.
THE HOME OFFICE’s immigration chief was booted out today – just weeks after being at the centre of the row that cost Amber Rudd her job.
After a 27 year career, officials said Hugh Ind was taking up a new Whitehall role in charge of public sector apprenticeships.
One source said: “He’s being put in the padded cell where people hope they get bored and go away.”
It came as the Home Office confirmed it was now investigating a potential 5,000 Windrush cases – of Caribbean citizens worried they may not be allowed to stay in the UK.
“The Home Office originally said it only expected a “handful”.
Mr Ind was at the centre of the storm over deportation targets that led to the resignation of Amber Rudd last month during the Windrush debacle.
Ms Rudd had told MPs no targets had ever been used.
But a bombshell 2017 memo from Mr Ind to Amber Rudd – referring to targets – was then leaked and proved decisive in forcing the Tory rising star to quit.
A Home Office spokeswoman refused to comment today – but insisted Mr Ind would not be getting a payoff.
The department also announced today that its second most important mandarin Patsy Wilkinson would also be leaving.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
She was in charge of immigration and free movement.
In a separate announcement today new Home Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed fees for citizenship applications would be waived for Commonwealth nationals arriving before 1973 who seek to “regularise” their stay.
But they will need to meet good character tests.