Rishi Sunak investigated over ‘barefaced lie’ asylum backlog has been cleared
The UK Statistics Authority is investigating claims made by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the government has cleared a backlog of asylum applications. Sunak’s assertion has been met with allegations of a barefaced lie.
The investigation comes after it was revealed that over 4,500 applications are still awaiting an initial decision, contradicting the government’s announcement. Home Office figures indicate that nearly 100,000 asylum seekers are still waiting for a decision, a number that has increased significantly since the Conservatives took power.
Furthermore, questions have been raised about the more than 17,000 individuals who withdrew their applications and subsequently disappeared. Home Secretary James Cleverly admitted that the government does not know where these individuals have gone, but vowed to make efforts to locate them.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously pledged to clear the backlog of 92,000 cases of asylum claims submitted before June 28, 2023. The Home Office claimed on Tuesday that this commitment had been fulfilled, with similar language reiterated by Johnson himself.
However, Home Office statistics revealed that 4,537 complex legacy applications were still awaiting an initial decision as of December 28. In response, the UK Statistics Authority’s Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has confirmed that it will examine the government’s claim.
Criticism of the government’s assertion has also come from Labour’s shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock. He described the Prime Minister’s statement as a barefaced lie and mocked the claim as an insult to the public’s intelligence.
This investigation comes in the wake of the UK Statistics Authority chairman Sir Robert Chote challenging Sunak’s previous claims regarding reduced public debt, deeming them misleading.
As the investigation unfolds, the credibility of the government’s promises and the reliability of its claims are being called into question. The outcome of the UK Statistics Authority’s investigation could have far-reaching implications for Sunak and the government’s handling of asylum applications.
In light of the ongoing investigation and the significant discrepancy in figures, public scrutiny of the government’s immigration policies is likely to increase. The impact of this investigation may extend beyond the realm of statistics, potentially affecting the public’s trust in government announcements and promises.
The investigation also highlights the importance of accurate and transparent reporting, as well as the need for the UK Statistics Authority’s regulatory arm to ensure accountability and integrity in the use of statistics by government officials.
The UK government, particularly Home Secretary James Cleverly, will face further pressure to address the concerns and questions raised by this investigation. The outcome will undoubtedly shape the public perception of the government’s ability to effectively manage the asylum system and fulfill its promises.
As the investigation progresses, it is crucial to monitor the developments closely to ascertain the veracity of the government’s claims and the impact on the immigration system as a whole.
