Theresa May has apologised “for any anxiety caused” to Windrush citizens.It emerged that retirement-age citizens have been detained, lost their jobs, denied benefits and even made homeless as a result of struggling to prove their immigration status (as required under a recent Home Office policy). The ‘Windrush generation’ refers to people from Caribbean countries who had been invited to settle in the UK and help rebuild the economy after the Second World War. The first group arrived from Jamaica on MV Empire Windrush in 1948. It is estimated that up to 50,000 people face the risk of deportation if their residency status was never formalised. The Prime Minister, however, insists nobody from the Windrush generation will be deported. She, along with the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, has come under increasing pressure over the scandal.

The Prime Minister also faced anger in the Commons for failing to consult Parliament before launching air strikes in Syria.On Monday Theresa May told MPs that it was “legally morally right” for the UK to intervene in the wake of the apparent use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime – three days after the strikes were authorised. The UK joined the USA and France in coordinated action against targets suspected of being linked to the development of chemical weapons.  Jeremy Corbyn accused Mrs May of a “flagrant disregard” for Parliament. He was personally opposed to the air strikes, but many MPs from his own party signalled their support. Yvette Cooper said it was a shame that the Prime Minister had failed to consult Parliament when it was likely that a majority of MPs would have voted in favour of limited military action.

There are reports that the EU has rejected the UK’s proposals for the Irish border.The Daily Telegraphquoted “senior EU diplomatic sources” as saying the UK’s plans were met with “systematic and forensic annihilation” at a bilateral meeting in Brussels this week. The UK had previously suggested that a combination of technological solutions and new ‘trusted trader’ schemes would avoid the need for a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The apparent failure of the two sides to agree makes it more likely that either Northern Ireland remains in the EU’s single market and customs union (the so-called ‘backstop option’) or that the UK as a whole remains in at least the customs union.

Kim Jong-un announced the suspension of North Korea’s missile and nuclear tests.The dramatic statement comes ahead of a meeting between Kim and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, later this week, and ahead of a scheduled meeting with the US President. On Twitter Donald Trump said it was “big progress,” adding that he looked forward to the summit with the North Korean leader. However, it has been reported by the Washington Postthat officials in the White House are privately sceptical that North Korea will stick to its promises.

Arlene Foster accused of signing “blank cheque” for RHI scheme.The inquiry into the scheme heard that in April 2012 Mrs Foster signed a declaration saying: “I have read the Regulatory Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that the benefits justify the costs.” At her third appearance before the inquiry, Mrs Foster also defended the continued employment of her former special adviser, Dr Andrew Crawford, as a researcher for the DUP. Previous evidence to the inquiry revealed that Dr Crawford had failed to read key reports commissioned into the RHI scheme before its implementation.

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