Singapore hits back at Richard Branson for rejecting offer to debate death penalty

The Ministry of Home Affairs accused the British billionaire of ‘pontificating from a distant mountaintop, and then avoiding a serious discussion when challenged’

In declining Singapore’s invitation to a TV debate on the death penalty, Branson said the parley ‘reduces nuanced discourse to sound bites’

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British billionaire Richard Branson. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:50am, 5 Nov 2022

Singapore on Saturday slammed British billionaire Richard Branson’s rejection of its offer of a live televised debate on the city state’s death penalty, saying that his “lame excuses” do not hold water, and that it can only surmise that he realises that his untruths about the island nation will be shown up.

In a pointed rebuttal, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that Branson was “publicly peddling falsehoods” about Singapore and using his celebrity status to campaign to change Singapore’s position.

The ministry also criticised the founder of multinational conglomerate Virgin Group for moralising from afar but retreating when challenged, which MHA said showed a lack of respect for principle and the people he claims to champion for.

“We do not accuse Branson of hypocrisy as some British media have done,” MHA said in a statement.

“We do not question [as others have], his prioritisation of profit over the human rights principles which he so loudly professes. Nor do we judge him for taking drugs together with his son [as he has publicly admitted to doing].

“But Branson should act with some honour. If he takes a public position on a matter which can impact thousands of lives in another country, then he should be prepared to explain himself.