Minister ridiculed during question time for asking whether Rwanda and Congo are different countries

A confused-looking Chris Philp drew howls of ridicule from the BBC audience. Photo: BBC

Police Minister Chris Philp appeared to confuse the countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo during question time.

Responding to a question from a viewer during the BBC One program, the MP for South Croydon appeared to , asked, “Is Rwanda a different country from Congo?” «

A viewer who said he came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo asked: «If my family members came from Goma (a city on the border of the country) right now at the crossing, would they then be sent back to the country they are supposedly at war with — Rwanda?

“Does this make any sense to you?”

Mr Philp replied: «No, I think there is an exception for sending people from Rwanda to Rwanda.»

After an audience member objected that his parents were «not from Rwanda», the Conservative MP appeared , asked, “Well, I mean, Rwanda is a different country than the Congo, isn’t it?”

“It’s a different country.” country?»

The comment prompted a brief burst of laughter from some on the debate program as Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting's eyes darted around the room.

Mr. Streeting's reaction quickly became a meme on social media.

https://t.co/ALNYWPVpQv pic.twitter.com/6VTbm7pqeB

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) April 25, 2024

G Mr Philp continued: “There is a clause in the law that says that if someone gets hurt, I think that phrase constitutes 'serious and irreversible harm', if they are sent somewhere, they will not be sent.

«So this is a security mechanism built into the legislation.»

There is a long history of violent conflicts between neighboring African countries.

The Rwanda bill became law on Thursday after as was approved by the royal authority. agreement, paving the way for the start of deportation flights.

Mr Philp's remarks were echoed by his political opponents.

After the Labor Party shared a snapshot clip on Twitter, Yvette Cooper, shadow Minister of the Interior, responded with a tweet: “No words.”