UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted to being “taken by surprise” after agreeing to a £1,000 bet concerning his Rwanda policy during an exchange with TalkTV’s Piers Morgan.
Sunak, who claimed he is “not a betting person,” defended his decision, asserting it was not an error but rather a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to the policy of deportation flights before the upcoming election.
Sunak clarified that he intended to underscore his dedication to the policy rather than to engage in gambling.
Critics, including Labour, have condemned Sunak’s actions, labelling them as evidence of being “totally out of touch with working people.”
Sunak refuted allegations of ignorance regarding the financial struggles of ordinary households, citing government measures such as cuts to national insurance and financial aid totaling £100bn aimed at supporting vulnerable segments of society.
One of Sunak’s key promises was to halve inflation by the end of the previous year, which he claimed to have partly fulfilled by reducing it from 11% to 4%, thus alleviating the financial strain on families.
The Rwanda policy, designed to dissuade asylum seekers from crossing the Channel, has encountered legal obstacles, delaying deportation flights. Sunak defended his commitment to the policy and emphasised efforts to navigate legislative hurdles.
Despite facing criticism for his involvement in the bet, Sunak insisted that his actions were motivated by a steadfast dedication to implementing the policy.
Opposition parties, including the SNP, have raised concerns about potential breaches of ministerial rules and have called for investigations into Sunak’s conduct.