Rylan Clark’s migrant remarks on This Morning sparks hundreds of Ofcom complaints
This Morning has been hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints following Rylan Clark’s speech about immigration and migrants on the ITV show
Rylan Clark has issued a statement following remarks he made on This Morning (Image: ITV)
This Morning has faced a barrage of hundreds of Ofcom complaints after Rylan Clark’s controversial remarks about immigration and migrants.
The presenter was covering for usual hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard last week.
During a news discussion on Wednesday, August 27, Rylan spoke about how migrants had rescued his mother’s life which has sparked 576 complaints from angry viewers.
In an extensive – and now notorious – monologue, he declared: “This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration – a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life have come over here from other countries. They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.
“I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel. And when they get here, it does seem, and I think this is why a lot of Labour voters as well are saying there’s something wrong, it feels like, ‘Welcome, come on in’.
“That’s the narrative we’re being fed. Here’s the iPad. Here’s the NHS in reception of your hotel. Here’s three meals a day. Here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome.”
Rylan acknowledged that everyone would hold differing views on the matter and he was “going to upset someone” with his stance.
He went on: “There are people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling. They’re homeless. Let’s not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this.
Rylan’s comments were hit with a backlash (Image: ITV)
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He continued: “Let me be honest, everyone’s going to have an opinion about this and you’re going to upset someone. Something major needs to be done about this.
“The money that it’s costing us, the amount of people that are in this country that we have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of – and clearly we see a lot of it in the press at the moment. Not all, but some, what some are doing to people in this country.”
Wrapping up his remarks, he then questioned why, as a British citizen arriving at Heathrow Airport without his passport after leaving it in Spain, he wouldn’t be permitted entry, before asking: “If I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?”
The TV presenter insisted “you can be pro immigration and against illegal routes” (Image: ITV)
The Mirror subsequently fact-checked Rylan’s statements from the programme. Regarding his claim about those arriving on small boats receiving iPads and phones, The Mirror can verify that The Home Office does not supply mobile phones and iPads to new arrivals as these aren’t deemed essential requirements, reports the Mirror.
However, charitable organisations and churches may occasionally provide such items, alongside fundamental necessities like clothing and food – which aren’t taxpayer-funded. Those seeking asylum are eligible for complimentary NHS treatment whilst their applications are being processed.
Regarding his assertion that small boat arrivals “get taken to a four-star hotel”, The Mirror can verify that some four-star establishments – including the Britannia International in Canary Wharf – have indeed housed asylum seekers. However, the Home Office maintains that despite former ratings, these hotels only provide basic necessities once their purpose shifts.
Rylan hosted This Morning during the summer holidays(Image: Tim P. Whitby via Getty Images)
The department has previously declared: “If a hotel is used to house asylum seekers, the services and facilities it previously offered will therefore change, and its commercial star rating will cease to apply. As such, those ratings are not routinely recorded by the Home Office.”
Rylan further alleged there exists a perception that individuals are told “here’s three meals a day, here’s a games room in the hotel. Have a lovely time and welcome.”
The Mirror can verify that The Home Office holds a legal obligation to offer fundamental support to destitute asylum seekers whilst their applications are being processed. They face a legal prohibition on employment, preventing them from generating income.
They are given an extremely modest allowance. When meals are supplied they obtain £9.95 weekly per individual, whilst those in self-catering accommodation receive £49.18.
Wednesday brought news that Ofcom had received 576 complaints ‘related to comments made by the presenter during a discussion about immigration’.
This Morning airs on weekdays at 10am on ITV1
