Labour minister Emma Reynolds has faced fierce criticism following her remarks about migrant protests in Portsmouth during a GB News interview. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the city on Sunday night (September 6) after a mega-dinghy carrying around 140 men arrived. The government condemned what it called the "intimidating and thuggish behaviour" of some protesters, who were reportedly wearing masks.
Minister's comments spark outrage
Appearing on GB News on Monday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said some behaviour "crossed a line". She stated: "I support people's right to peaceful protest but some of the behaviour in Portsmouth and in Dover crossed a line, it was intimidation, it was thuggery. Obviously, there are people with legitimate concerns about immigration and the government is addressing those concerns and we are making progress."
Reynolds argued that small boat arrivals are 43 percent down on last year, adding that while people smugglers are shifting tactics, the government is redirecting its focus and resources to tackle the issue.
Viewers react angrily
GB News presenter Ellie Costello acknowledged legitimate concerns, remarking: "This is the longest-ever Channel crossing by people smugglers. You move resources down to where they launched from yesterday and we'll see the same thing happen again. These human trafficking gangs are sophisticated, they will adapt, they will change and they will evolve. There needs to be something more happening."
Reynolds responded: "We are cracking down on the criminal gangs. We've disrupted over 100 criminal smuggling gangs in the last two years. The Home Secretary is pursuing reforms to reduce the pull factor. We are making positive progress on this issue, but there is still more to do."
Viewers were outraged by the remarks, with one commenting: "Emma you are a bare faced Liar - I watched it all on Youtube - there was no intimidation or thuggery - just seriously worried men very concerned about the safety of their own and others' families." Another said: "It wasn't thuggish behaviour, she's lying, when is our spineless government going to actually do anything to help the decent law abiding citizens of our country." A third echoed: "Nobody is safe. A migrant arrested for loitering around a school and exposing himself in Doncaster last Wednesday, let out and seen in my area on Sunday. Absolutely disgraceful @andyburnham @ShabanaMahmood @ukhomeoffice. If there is unrest it's on you."
Further comments included: "No. what 'crosses the line' is a 'government' & 'police' who send in enforcement against their own people so their invaders can invade!" and "How did the cross the line? 0 property damage, 0 arrests, 0 violent offences. Only chants they had were 'stop the boats'. What line did they cross? Covering their faces as to not get arrested and lose their jobs? Oh no!! How could they?!" Another raged: "She's talking word salad. Anybody can say they're doing something when they aren't. Literally everything those illegal invaders needed was there waiting for them to arrive. The lies the @GOVUK tell only antagonise British citizens more and they are now starting to react."
