GB News viewers were left furious after a heated debate on illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel sparked major controversy. Presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello led the discussion following claims that French authorities shadowed a group of migrants to the middle of the Channel before radioing UK Border Force to pick them up and bring them to Dover. According to GB News, 1,300 people have crossed illegally in the past five days alone.
To discuss the issue, commentators Alex Armstrong and Scarlette MccGwire joined the panel, and it didn’t take long for things to get fiery. Scarlette questioned why migrants were so desperate to reach Britain, saying, “Many of them have already come across the Mediterranean. I do not understand why they’re so keen to come to Britain.”
Alex was quick to cut in, giving his own take on the situation: “I do—free hotel, benefits, free meals a day, five-star hotel.” As the debate escalated, viewers at home were not impressed, with many venting their frustration on social media. Some were particularly riled up by Scarlette’s comments, with one person writing, “Scarlette on again, time to change channels. She really does talk a complete load of tosh.”
Another fumed, “Annnddd I’m off… Scarlette, your friend Nigel Nelson told us all yesterday they didn’t speak English. Which way would you like to play it?” A third viewer was even more blunt, slamming, “Scarlette, what utter tosh you spout! Stop putting this fool on your show”, reported the Express.
The debate has once again reignited tensions over the UK’s handling of illegal migrant crossings, with viewers divided on whether Britain is doing enough—or too much—to accommodate those arriving by boat. While some sided with Alex’s argument that migrants are drawn to the UK by generous benefits and accommodations, others defended Scarlette’s stance, arguing that the real focus should be on why so many people are risking their lives to make the journey in the first place.
With the issue of illegal crossings showing no signs of slowing down, debates like this are likely to keep sparking heated reactions—but for some GB News viewers, Scarlette’s appearance was enough for them to hit the off switch.
