Andrew Pierce has slammed a Government scheme giving convicted foreign criminals prepaid bank cards loaded with up to £2,000 before being deported from Britain.
The GB News host called the practice “an outrage,” pointing to ordinary Britons struggling with the cost of living and fuel poverty this winter.
The scheme involves providing Romanian prisoners who have committed serious offences, including murder and sexual crimes, with taxpayer-funded payments to ensure their cooperation during deportation proceedings.
Speaking on Britain's News Channel, Andrew said: "Some prisoners from Romania had served time in our jails for, among other offences, murder, sexual offences, and serious violent crimes.
"They were put on a plane to be deported, and some of them were given a credit card loaded with up to £2,000 of taxpayers’ money to encourage them to get on the plane and behave.
"I’m sorry. It is an outrage. There’ll be people watching and listening to this program who are struggling to think 'can we put the heating on this winter?'
"Pensioners facing fuel poverty. And we’re giving foreign criminals £2,000 to get them to clear off quietly. Can you believe it?"
Co-host Miriam Cates agreed: "I mean, it's crazy, but on the other hand, how much would it cost to have four or five security guards for each person flying with them to make sure that they don't cause a problem at the airport? But it does seem ridiculous."
The GB News host called the practice 'an outrage' as he fumed
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Andrew added: "This has been going on, get this, since 2006. It's obviously established practice. It was introduced by Tony Blair's Government.
"Remember when Tony Blair was a young would be prime minister? Tough on crime. Tough on the causes of crime, he said.
"How is that tough on the causes of crime? Giving a Romanian rapist £2,000. I'm sorry. It's got to stop. It is completely unjust. It's got to stop."
Footage obtained by ITV yesterday revealed the deportation process for serious offenders being returned to Romania, showing individuals convicted of murder, theft and sexual abuse boarding aircraft at Heathrow Airport.
The video documentation, marking the first time journalists have been permitted to film such an operation, captured 47 convicted criminals being escorted onto flights, with some requiring restraints and multiple security personnel.
Miriam agreed that it is 'crazy' but pointed out it could be cheaper than the alternative
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These individuals had initially entered Britain legally but lost their residency rights after committing serious criminal offences.
Under the Facilitated Return Scheme, deportees receive prepaid bank cards worth £2,000 as an incentive to cooperate with their removal from the country.
Officials instruct them to access these funds upon reaching Romania to assist with resettlement in their home country.