IMMIGRATION MINISTER Caroline Nokes has apologised to members of the Windrush generation and admitted that she felt “ashamed” of how the Home Office had treated them, The Guardian reports.

Nokes made an appearance at the Black Cultural Archives and addressed members of the Windrush generation during a meeting.

As she listened to the experiences of several members of the Windrush Generation, Nokes said: “The way I always learn best is by talking to people. It really matters to me that people have a chance to shout at me. It really is. I just feel really ashamed, that’s the honest truth.

“I feel ashamed the Home Office got it so badly wrong over a long period. I was going to say I have to say sorry but I want to say sorry. I’m really conscious that we have a massive piece of work to do.”

The minister came under fire for issuing contradictory statements about whether or not employers would have to make additional checks on EU nationals post-Brexit if there is no deal.

During the meeting, many people told Nokes about their experiences as a result of Home Office hostile environment policies.

She urged people to not be too scared to speak up, saying: “I don’t want anyone to feel scared, it’s stories like this that demonstrate to me that what went wrong went really horribly wrong. I will pick it up and do absolutely everything to help you.”

According to The Guardian, she apologised several times for treatment of the Windrush generation who had been invited to Britain to help rebuild the country after the second world war.

“We went out and asked for help. Help came. We have treated people shamefully since then. I would like to give everyone a heartfelt apology. We are here to help, we will help,” she said.