Achi news desk-
The audience member said he was from the Democratic Republic of the Congo when asked if people fleeing his country would be sent back to Rwanda if they tried to enter the UK.
He also mentioned that DR Congo is a neighboring country to Rwanda when asking his question.
He asked: “I come from a neighboring country called Congo. If you know it geographically it is right next door to Rwanda. Right now, in Goma, there is a genocide going on, and there is such a big conflict going on with people from Rwanda.
“So, if my family members had come from Goma on a crossing right now, would they then be sent back to the country they are supposedly at war with, Rwanda?
“Does that make any sense to you?”
Mr Philp, who is the MP for Croydon South, then replied: “No I think there is a ban on people from Rwanda being sent back to Rwanda.”
Then there was an objection from the member of the audience, reminding him that they are different countries.
Mr Philp seemed confused as he tried to establish the difference between the countries. He replied again to the audience member: “Well, I mean, Rwanda is a different country to the Congo, isn’t it?
“It’s a different country?”
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The question was met with a burst of laughter, expressions of disbelief, and another detailed description from the man who asked the question as the host of the show tried to explain the facts to Mr Philp.
Wes Streeting, the Opposition Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, could also be seen with a confused look on his face as the moment unfolded in front of him.
Mr Philp continued: “There’s a clause in the legislation that says if someone were to suffer, I think the phrase is ‘serious and irreversible harm’ by being sent somewhere, they wouldn’t be sent .
“Therefore, that safety mechanism is built into the legislation.”
The full clip can be viewed on the BBC website.
