Try GOLD - Free

Do you think Rylan is right? So does Tommy Robinson...

The Independent

|

August 29, 2025

When Rylan Clark, the This Morning presenter, shared his thoughts about asylum seekers live on air, fingers in the ITV production studio will surely have been hovering nervously over the kill switch.

- SHARAN DHALIWAL

Do you think Rylan is right? So does Tommy Robinson...

Because what came out amounted to a tirade - I found his comment to be misinformed, exaggerated and, quite frankly, incorrect.

During a discussion about Nigel Farage’s hardline immigration plan unveiled this week, the former star of The X Factor said it was “insane” that illegal migrants were being put up in hotels, and that there was “something wrong” in the way refugees are welcomed into the UK.

I watched, and my jaw dropped at every line that came out of Rylan’s mouth.

“This is the narrative we’re being fed: Here’s the hotel, here’s the phones, 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...”

Barely pausing for breath, he added: “This isn’t me getting on my soapbox.” It wasn’t the only statement he made that was incorrect.

Let’s take these one by one and, in exposing the myths, show what kind of welcome migrants to the UK actually receive.

“Here’s the hotel...”? Asylum seekers who land on beaches in Kent are quickly taken to temporary accommodation with no choice as to where they stay.

MORE STORIES FROM The Independent

The Independent

The Independent

WINDOW SHOPPING

Samuel Mathewson on the top men's advent calendars

time to read

4 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Badenoch ready for a scrap to free up housing market

Kemi Badenoch has vowed to abolish stamp duty if the Conservatives win the next election, as she unveiled a raft of tax cuts in a bid to claw back voters and boost the party's ratings.

time to read

4 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Man who blew £1.5m on football wagers sues Betfair

A multimillionaire “problem gambler” who blew nearly £1.5m on football wagers is suing Betfair for his money back in a landmark case, claiming it was under a duty to protect him from himself.

time to read

5 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Why collapse of China spy case led to a political row

A major prosecution against two British men accused of spying for China has collapsed in a heap of ignominy and recrimination.

time to read

2 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

ON THIS DAY

1888: The 555ft white marble Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills, was opened.

time to read

1 min

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Will the entry-exit system deter holidays to the EU?

Q Do you think the new entry-exit system will put people off holidays in the EU? If it does, where will they go?

time to read

1 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Keep my beloved hometown out of your mouth, Fenrick

Birmingham looks quite nice now that it's finished.

time to read

3 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Root hits back over poor Ashes record down under

Joe Root believes England are ready to end their decade-long Ashes drought and “bring the urn home”, insisting his own quest for a century in Australia is a side issue.

time to read

3 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Dominoes falling into place over infamous City charges

A decision is finally expected soon in the Manchester City case, writes Miguel Delaney, with the recent settlement in the APT case possibly foreshadowing the end of the saga

time to read

4 mins

October 09, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Weakness of diplomacy does not work with Xi Jinping

Is China an enemy? To judge by the level of competence displayed in the Westminster espionage case, nobody is qualified to say.

time to read

4 mins

October 09, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size