Gary Lineker has come underneath hearth from prime Tories after he joined high-profile figures demanding Rishi Sunak scrap the failing Rwanda scheme.
The Match of the Day host – who has beforehand riled the Government by criticising its remedy of asylum seekers – mentioned a “new system” that displays the “will of the British people” is required as a substitute. But Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hit again, saying the previous footballer ought to stick with presenting, whereas loudmouth Lee Anderson informed him to “put a sock in it”.
Mr Lineker signed a letter alongside Succession star Brian Cox, former head of the British Army Lord Richard Dannatt, girls’s rights campaigner Helen Pankhurst, and Hotel Rwanda movie star Sophie Okonedo. He mentioned: “We need a new system that reflects the will of the British people who have opened their homes, donated and volunteered in their local communities. That’s why I’m backing this new campaign – because fair really can begin here.”
Other signatories of the open letter embody Christina McAnea, the final secretary of Unison union, Kaiser Chiefs star Simon Rix, and tv chef Big Zuu – the son of a Sierra Leone refugee. They branded Britain’s refugee system “ever-more uncaring, chaotic and costly” – simply because the PM faces a crucial vote on the Rwanda coverage on Tuesday.
The plan has already value taxpayers £240million regardless of the Supreme Court ruling the coverage unlawful and never a single asylum seeker being despatched to the African nation. Mr Lineker has beforehand been suspended by the BBC after hitting out at Suella Braverman’s merciless Illegal Migration Bill, and his newest intervention has angered prime Tories.
Mr Shapps shot again: “I just fundamentally disagree with him. What happens to him next is up to the BBC. As far as I see it, they have issued previous warnings to him, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do and say at this point. But I know millions of people watch him for his football commentary and TV presenting. I would have thought it was better to stick with that.”
And deputy Tory chairman Mr Anderson informed The Daily Mail: “For once in his life, Gary’s absolutely right – we do need a system that reflects the will of the British people. What the people want is to stop the boats and to tell overpaid crisp salesmen to put a sock in it.”
The open letter to political leaders organised by the Together with Refugees group states: “Our Government is still trying to banish people fleeing persecution to Rwanda despite the highest court in the land ruling the scheme unlawful.
“Tens of 1000’s of persons are caught in limbo ready for his or her refugee safety to be processed, separated from their households and barred from working. These insurance policies aren’t working for refugees and so they aren’t working for native communities. That’s why we’ve come collectively to say we have had sufficient. Enough of the division. Enough of the short-term pondering. Enough of the wasted human potential. And it is why we now name for one thing higher.”
Actor Brian Cox mentioned: “The UK’s asylum system is in a shambles – not least with the government’s continued attempts to push through the awful scheme to send people to Rwanda. We need a total rethink. “Political leaders must create a system that is not just properly managed but is fair and has compassion at its heart.”
The former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt added: “It is clear that the current system for refugees in the UK is in a terrible mess. The dogged pursuit of the unpopular plan to send people seeking protection to Rwanda is astonishing.
“The failure to fully support Afghans fleeing the Taliban is shameful. This country needs a proper plan – one that is fair for refugees and works for communities across Britain. This letter to party leaders has come at a critical time and I urge them to take serious note. This chaos cannot be allowed to continue.”
TV Chef and persona Big Zuu who lived in refugee lodging as a child after his mom fled Sierra Leone additionally mentioned: “I do know what it’s prefer to be a baby within the asylum system within the UK. Me and my mum had some good help after we have been first right here, but it surely wasn’t simple.
“And I know it’s even tougher today, being a refugee in this country now is almost impossible. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Being part of this campaign is so important to me and many of the people I grew up with. We experienced the reality, and we know politicians can do better.”
Full list of signatories
- Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
- Brian Cox CBE, actor
- General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, former head of the British Army
- Dr Sohail Hanif, CEO, National Zakat Foundation
- Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, Chair and Founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum
- Martins Imhangbe, actor
- Dr Ronx Ikharia, Emergency Medicine Doctor, NHS, TV presenter and activist
- Simon Kidwell, President, National Association of Headteachers
- Kathy Lette, author
- Gary Lineker OBE, TV presenter and former England football player
- Dr Saad Maid, Senior Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NHS, and former refugee from Syria
- Christina McAnea, General Secretary, UNISON
- Sheikh Nuru Mohammed, Al-Abbas Islamic Centre, Birmingham
- Zara Mohammed, Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain
- Patrick Monahan, comedian and former refugee from Iran
- David Morrissey, actor
- Lucian Msamati, actor
- Paul O’Connor, Head of Bargaining, The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
- Sophie Okonedo CBE, actor
- Helen Pankhurst CBE, writer and women’s rights campaigner
- Dr Latifa Patel, Representative Body Chair, British Medical Association (BMA)
- The Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool and chair of the Churches’ Refugee Network
- Simon Rix, musician in the Kaiser Chiefs
- Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary, Churches Together in England
- Gillian Slovo, writer and former refugee from South Africa
- Juliet Stevenson CBE, actor
- Patrick Vernon OBE, Windrush campaigner
- Dame Harriet Walter DBE, actor
- Natasha Walter, writer and human rights campaigner
- Gill Walton, CEO and General Secretary, Royal College of Midwives
- Sabir Zazai OBE, Chair of Together With Refugees and CEO of Scottish Refugee Council and former refugee from Afghanistan
- Big Zuu, TV chef and personality and son of refugee from Sierra Leone