Andrew Pierce has launched a scathing attack on a Government programme that provides Romanian criminals with £2,000 payments before their deportation from Britain.
The GB News host expressed his fury during today's programme, declaring the practice "sickens me to my stomach" and demanding "it's got to stop".
His outrage centres on the Facilitated Return Scheme, which offers convicted offenders prepaid bank cards containing £2,000 to ensure their cooperation during removal proceedings.
The payments are given to individuals who have committed grave crimes, including murder and sexual offences.
Andrew Pierce was left furious at the scheme and it 'sickens' him
|GB NEWS
Speaking on Britian's News Channel, Andrew said: "It looks terrible. I keep thinking about the winter fuel allowance, the difficulties the Government got into by withdrawing it. Some pensioners will be really nervous about putting the heating on this winter.
"How are they going to feel knowing a convicted rapist from Romania gets on a plane back to his home country with £2,000 of taxpayers’ money in his pocket?"
Co-host Miriam Cates agreed: "Shabana Mahmood, the new Home Secretary, has agreed it looks terrible. But she’s made the point that if you keep foreign national offenders in British jails, it costs over £50,000 a year to the taxpayer.
"Wouldn’t you rather incentivise them to return home for £2,000? It’s a huge saving, and logically she’s absolutely right. But the problem is the fairness aspect it will really infuriate people, on top of all the other immigration problems."
Andrew doubled down on his point and said: "And look, if they’re being deported, just put them in leg irons and stick them on the plane."
Miriam pointed out: "The airlines don’t like that, do they? It ruins the holiday mood."
Andrew fumed: "Too bad. Because I think it’s got to stop. It sickens me, actually. I was really interested to find out that one of the people who got this money was a murderer. It’s insane."
Miriam agreed: "Even if it does save money, it’s completely immoral."
Andrew later added: "It sickens me to my stomach. It has got to stop."
Among those escorted onto aircraft were individuals convicted of murder, theft and sexual assault.
Miriam agreed that it is 'completely immoral'
|GB NEWS
Some required physical restraints and multiple security officers during boarding.
These offenders had originally entered the UK legally but forfeited their right to remain after committing serious crimes.
The deportees receive prepaid bank cards as part of the programme, with instructions to access the £2,000 upon arrival in Romania.
Officials describe the payments as assistance for resettlement in their homeland.