British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak found himself in hot water after agreeing to a GBP 1,000 bet over his government's policy to fly out illegal migrants to Rwanda while their asylum applications are processed. Sunak, appearing on BBC radio, defended his decision, stating that he was "taken totally by surprise" during the interview and emphasized his commitment to tackling illegal migration, which he cares deeply about.
Sunak's government introduced legislation declaring Rwanda a safe country, aiming to revive the controversial deportation policy. However, the bill needs approval from the House of Lords before becoming law. Despite the challenges, the government aims to launch deportation flights in the coming months, ahead of a potential general election.
The Prime Minister's agreement to the bet, made during an interview with TalkTV host Piers Morgan, sparked criticism from opposition parties. Labour and the Scottish National Party (SNP) accused Sunak of being out of touch and insensitive for betting on the lives of vulnerable refugees.
SNP's Cabinet Office spokesperson Kirsty Blackman called for an investigation into whether Sunak breached ministerial rules, labeling the bet as "grotesque" and "callous." Labour's shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth criticized Sunak for trivializing serious issues faced by ordinary working families.
Amidst the controversy, Sunak faced calls to prioritize pressing issues such as the NHS backlog instead of engaging in "trashy bets." The Prime Minister's involvement in the Rwanda deportation policy dates back to his tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the policy has faced legal challenges since its announcement.
Despite the criticism, Sunak remains committed to his government's pledge to address illegal migration, viewing it as a key issue ahead of a potential general election.
(With Agency Inputs)
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