Jeremy Clarkson has reignited the row over Britain’s benefits system as he called for action against people he accused of “fraudulently sponging off the state”.
The broadcaster turned his attention to Andy Burnham after the Greater Manchester Mayor declared in the House of Commons “national security cannot come at the expense of social security”.
Writing in his latest column for The Sun, Mr Clarkson said he “literally couldn’t believe” what he was hearing.
“Those were his words,” the 66-year-old stressed, before launching into a scathing assessment of Mr Burnham’s position.
Jeremy Clarkson has reignited the debate over Britain’s benefits system
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GETTYMr Clarkson acknowledged the Labour politician’s popularity on social media, joking about his “footy” and “‘I-like-a-pint-in-t’-pub-me shtick”, while noting he was “not doing badly in the polls”.
However, the former Top Gear host claimed Mr Burnham’s comments offered a more concerning insight into his political priorities.
“But holy mother of God, when he’s forced to say something political we see what he’s really thinking,” Mr Clarkson wrote.
“And that is truly scary.”
The Clarkson’s Farm star questioned whether savings could be made from Britain’s welfare bill
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AMAZONThe columnist interpreted Mr Burnham’s remarks as meaning welfare spending should take precedence over providing additional resources for Britain’s Armed Forces.
He claimed: “What he said, and he hasn’t subsequently retracted it, is that he thinks it’s more important to give someone with a bit of anxiety a BMW than it is to buy the Army some new guns.”
Mr Clarkson then pointed to a series of international security concerns as he argued defence spending must remain a priority.
He referenced what he described as threatening noises from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ongoing war in Europe, tensions involving Iran and an unusual visit by the CIA director to Moscow.
Andy Burnham declared ‘national security cannot come at the expense of social security’
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GB NEWSThe broadcaster also claimed a British base in Cyprus had recently been hit and criticised the length of time he said it took the Royal Navy to respond.
Mr Clarkson argued Mr Burnham appeared unwilling to make cuts to benefits even in the face of such security concerns.
However, he stressed he was not advocating for welfare support to be stripped from everyone.
“Well now look, Councillor. No one is suggesting you cut everyone’s benefits,” he wrote.
“No one is saying that you must stop feeding old ladies who are too infirm to look after themselves.”
Mr Clarkson then took aim at those he believes are abusing the welfare system, asking: “But what about all the people fraudulently sponging off the state?”
The columnist also referred to spending on asylum seekers and people receiving support because of mental health problems as he questioned where savings could be made.
Concluding his warning to the Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Clarkson wrote: “Trust me on this, Burnham.
The former Top Gear host described Andy Burnham’s remarks as ‘truly scary’
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“They’ll be a lot more unhappy if Putin, right, drops a bomb on them.”
Mr Clarkson’s attack on Mr Burnham came as part of a wider column in which he also criticised the Labour government over its new unit aimed at ensuring white working-class men are not overlooked.
He questioned what the initiative would achieve and claimed Labour politicians associate white working-class men with “far-right thugs”, Reform voters and people who display England flags on their vans.
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