UK apologises for demanding DNA samples from migrants

In October 2018, British home secretary Sajid Javid apologised to more than 400 migrants, who included Gurkha soldiers and Afghans who had worked for the British armed forces, who were forced to provide DNA samples when applying to live and work in the UK. DNA samples are sometimes provided by applicants to prove their relationship to someone already in the UK, but are not supposed to be mandatory. An internal review indicated that more people than the initially estimated 449 had received DNA sample demands. Javid said the Home Office would reimburse individuals' financial losses, establish a task force to investigate further breaches, and review the immigration system to ensure it was fair, human, and fully compliant with the law.

https://www.ft.com/content/d6679ca4-d84f-11e8-ab8e-6be0dcf18713

Writer: Helen Warrell

Publication: Financial Times

Publication date: 2018-10-25