Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, has been criticised for making a bet over the deportation of refugees. He shook hands with controversial TV personality Piers Morgan during an interview on Tuesday, agreeing to bet £1,000 ($1,254) that he would deport refugees to Rwanda before the next general election.
The moment was shared widely on social media:
Under Sunak’s proposed Rwanda plans, asylum seekers arriving in the UK via boat would be sent to the African country to be processed. There, they would either be granted refugee status and allowed to stay in the UK or apply to settle in Rwanda on other grounds. They could also seek asylum in another third country.
Sunak thinks the plan would act as a deterrent for those planning to reach the UK by boat. Notably, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Rwanda was unsafe last year, deeming the proposal unlawful and blocking it. However, Sunak is eager to get the plan kickstarted again, arguing that he has introduced new legislation to allay concerns.
It’s just a game to these people”
Whatever the case, many have criticized Sunak’s bet. The Scottish National Party’s Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn called the wager “depraved” on social media, adding: “It’s just a game to these people.” Meanwhile, Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth said making a £1,000 bet during a cost of living crisis “shows that Rishi Sunak is totally out of touch with working people.”