Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who took over from Liz Truss in October is being criticised after his exchange with a homeless man at a soup kitchen went viral.
Sunak was volunteering at a charity soup kitchen before Christmas where a homeless man came to collect food. Striking up a conversation with the man called Dean, Sunak is seen asking him what he would like to eat. Dean asks the Prime Minister if he is trying to sort the economy
Giving an affirmative response, Sunak proceeds to ask Dean if he works in business. To which Dean replied plainly, 'I am homeless, I am a homeless man but I am interested in business'
Sunak goes quiet for a split second and then changes the topic asking if Dean is interested in business. Their exchange continues and Sunak adds that he too has worked in finance while completely ignoring Dean's repeated remarks of his plight.
Dean simply replies, 'I'd like to get temporary accommodation for Christmas,' when Sunak asks him if finance is something he'd like to get into.
Continuing with the conversation Sunak asks him what he is doing for the weekend and once more Dean brings up his living conditions, 'No idea? I'm hoping St. Mungo's can help me get some temporary accommodation so I'm not on the street.'
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While the video ends with Dean expressing a want for accommodation, the Prime Minister has drawn considerable flak from the Opposition and citizens alike for ignoring Dean's call for help.
Labour MP Angela Rayner, who also shared the clip, called the exchange excruciating while another Labour lawmaker, Bill Esterson, called Rishi Sunak 'out of touch'.
Another user Steve Rowe took to Twitter saying, 'Watching the King’s speech and Rishi Sunak at the soup kitchen I was struck by how the rich and privileged can actually talk sympathetically about the poor, disabled and starving without spending a penny of their inherited and hoarded wealth to ease it.'
A doctor from UK's National Health Service (NHS) Rachel Clarke asked, 'Why do politicians believe photos like these capture anything other than their cynicism?'
While journalist Stefan Simanowitz remarked that the prime minister chose to go for a photo op in a homeless shelter.
Talk TV journalist Isabel Oakeshott stated that it is strange how the Prime Minister refused to show any curiosity or compassion about a homeless man, and instead talks about his own career in the City.