Chancellor Rishi Sunak is facing widespread criticism and social media backlash following his participation in what many are calling a “tasteless stunt” during an interview with controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan.
The controversy unfolded during an episode of “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” which aired on YouTube on Monday. Morgan proposed a £1,000 bet to Sunak, challenging him to deport migrants to Rwanda before the upcoming general election. The bet was sealed with a handshake, drawing accusations of insensitivity and sparking outrage on various social media platforms.
Despite the announcement of plans to deport refugees to Rwanda in 2022, no migrants have been relocated to the country as of yet. Sunak, who has refrained from specifying the timing of the next general election, accepted the bet with Morgan, expressing a desire to see people on the planes heading to Rwanda.
However, Morgan shifted the conversation to question the prioritization of deportations when considering broader immigration concerns. He highlighted a recent prediction by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that the UK could reach a population of 73 million by 2036 through regular immigration channels.
Sunak defended the government’s approach to addressing illegal immigration, citing the success of the current plan, including the Rwanda deportation initiative. He pointed to the example of Albania, claiming that a new returns agreement with the country led to a decline in illegal migration.
Morgan contested Sunak’s perspective, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of the government’s strategy. The Chancellor’s commitment to “stopping the boats” was one of his priorities for 2023, but it has faced criticism as a nearly 30,000 asylum seekers crossed the English Channel last year.
The controversial decision by Sunak to engage in the bet with Morgan has triggered strong reactions from various quarters. Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock, SNP MP Alison Thewliss, and Labour peer Stewart Wood were among those expressing their disapproval on social media platforms, emphasizing the divisive nature of the Prime Minister’s wager.
