UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is grappling with a rebellion from discontented lawmakers over his key immigration policy, simultaneously confronting challenging queries about his decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. These dual challenges mark one of the most formidable weeks in Sunak’s 13 months in office, placing both his current authority and past performance in jeopardy.
Legislation aimed at salvaging Sunak’s obstructed proposal to relocate asylum-seekers to Rwanda faces a crucial vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Meanwhile, disparate factions of Conservative lawmakers convened in Parliament to scrutinize and criticize the bill. In parallel, Sunak endured a six-hour interrogation at the U.K.’s pandemic inquiry, vehemently denying allegations of jeopardizing public health. UK Prime Minister
As Treasury chief to Prime Minister Boris Johnson when the pandemic unfolded, Sunak endorsed a discount initiative in August 2020, encouraging individuals to return to restaurants after months of lockdown. This initiative has become a focal point of scrutiny during the ongoing challenges facing Sunak’s leadership.
The government’s scientific advisers have told the judge-led inquiry that they weren’t informed in advance about the “Eat Out to Help Out” program, which scientists have linked to a rise in infections. One senior government science adviser referred to Sunak in a message to colleagues at the time as “Dr. Death.”