A fiery debate erupted on GB News as host Andrew Pierce and guest James Matthewson clashed over the UK’s migrant crisis. The argument quickly turned heated when Matthewson objected to describing Channel crossers as “illegal” migrants, insisting they should be called asylum seekers instead.
“You can’t call them illegal,” Matthewson stated, prompting Pierce to interrupt sharply: “If they’ve crossed the Channel without permission, they are illegal!” The exchange grew more intense as Matthewson blamed government failures for the backlog in processing claims, while Pierce countered that taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for expensive hotel accommodations.
The discussion widened to touch on growing public frustration about priorities, with the hosts questioning why migrants receive housing while British farmers struggle with rising costs. Matthewson dismissed these comparisons, arguing “we can’t pit one group’s needs against another,” a position that visibly frustrated Pierce and co-host Bev Turner.
This isn’t the first time Matthewson has sparked controversy on the channel. Last month he drew criticism for labeling figures like Nigel Farage and Donald Trump as “far-right,” leading to another heated exchange about populism in politics.
The heated back-and-forth reflects the deepening national divide over immigration policy, with one side emphasizing border control and taxpayers’ concerns, while the other focuses on systemic failures and humanitarian obligations. As record numbers continue arriving by small boats, such debates are likely to grow even more charged in the coming months.
