British Home Secretary Sajid Javid has apologised to the relatives of Gurkha families who were forced to take DNA tests to prove their entitlement to settle in the UK.

Speaking before the House of Commons, UK’s lower house of the Parliament, Javid apologised to those affected and said it was unacceptable and guidance was unclear or wrong.

BBC reported a review by the Home Office found 449 cases where relatives of Gurkhas and Afghan nationals employed by the UK government were among those affected.

Javid said the guidance was wrong on DNA testing including in a scheme for adult dependent children of Gurkhas. He told MPs he would get to the bottom of how and why people were compelled to provide DNA. Those who experienced financial loss as a result of the problem will be reimbursed, Javid said.