Prime Minister Burnham's Overseas Holiday Sparks Political Firestorm
Government insists on normal operations as First Secretary of State Louise Haigh takes lead amidst criticism over PM's absence and policy shifts.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly on a week-long overseas holiday, just two weeks into his premiership.
Andy Burnham assumed the Prime Minister role on July 20, making his last public appearance in Dover to promote efforts against small boat crossings.
Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, stands as the most senior Government minister officially working this week.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman maintains the Government continues normal operations, with Burnham remaining in contact with officials.
Unnamed officials claim the Prime Minister holidays abroad, not within the UK.
Allies of Andy Burnham assert the Prime Minister will maintain direct contact with officials and continue holding meetings during his overseas break.
Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough. After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad. This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading.
Lee Anderson criticized the Prime Minister's absence, stating, "Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough. After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad. This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading."
Anderson further claimed Burnham is "bunking off for a jolly abroad after dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country."
The number of illegal migrants in the country has increased by over 2,000 since Burnham's inauguration.
Burnham has blocked grooming gang rapists from upcoming changes to prison sentences; rape and child sexual offenses are slated for exclusion from early release, affecting 18,000 offenders.
Despite these changes, two men involved in the 2018 killing of police officer Andrew Harper remain likely candidates for early release.
Zia Yusuf claims Burnham's planned prison sentencing changes will unleash dangerous and violent offenders onto the streets.
Yusuf also claims Reform plans to deport illegal immigrants back to France, which is becoming complicit in people trafficking to Britain.