Moment Susanna leaps to Rylan’s defence after GMB panellist falsely accused him of spreading ‘myths’ about migrants

SUSANNA Reid has defended Rylan Clark over his recent immigration comments on Good Morning Britain.

The presenter, 36, made the comments during a lively debate on the ITV show last week, admitting “I’m going to upset someone”.

ITV

ITV

Getty

Alongside co-host Josie Gibson, Rylan was discussing Reform UK leader Nigel Farage‘s latest plans for mass deportations.

Rylan heaped praise on “legal migration” in the country, pointing to the medical staff who helped save his mother, Linda.

But he went on to highlight his concerns at the waves of undocumented migrants entering the country via small boats.

However, Rylan faced social media backlash after his comments and GMB panelist Kevin Maguire accused him, without evidence, of “regurgitating terrible myths”.

But Susanna Reid quickly leapt to the defence of the former X-factor star after Maguire blasted Rylan.

Interrupting Maguire, she replied: “Hang on. He pointed out that this country is built on immigration and he was grateful to all of the migrants who have come to the NHS for helping support his mum.

“He was actually concerned, though, that we’ve got a sort of welcome to the UK, and we don’t know who all of these people are.”

Reid said she thinks “it is the duty of the government, as the government itself would acknowledge, that we control borders and we do not just welcome everybody if we don’t know who they are”, adding that Rylan did not want to share an anti-migration message.

Maguire replied: “He also regurgitated a load of myths and lies. Let’s not ignore that. Myths and lies have gone mainstream, and we’ve got to challenge that, we’ve got to push back on that.”

Reid disagreed with Maguire’s claim that Rylan was ”regurgitating propaganda” and continued to defend the 36-year-old.

She said: “Rylan also pointed out that we also have a homelessness problem, the government itself acknowledges that there’s not enough housing. 

“So, I just think that to say that what Rylan said was outrageous, regurgitating propaganda.”

During the discussion with guests Camilla Tominey and Tim Campbell last week, Rylan fumed that the Government were “welcoming in” migrants.

He said: “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in.

“But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?

“I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel like they are.

“But when they get here, it seems, ‘welcome, come on in’. 

“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.”

The group were discussing Farage’s plans to detain and deport every single illegal migrant in Britain.

He unveiled his mass deportation blueprint – dubbed Operation Restoring Justice – last Tuesday.

Comparing migrant hotels with the Government’s response to homeless people, Rylan fumed “something major needs to be done”.

‘SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE’

Rylan continued: “Then there’s people that have lived here all their lives that are struggling, or homeless.

“Let’s not even discuss our homeless. There are people living on the streets, veterans, all of this.

“The money that it’s costing us, the people in this country we have no idea who they are, what they’ve done, what they’re capable of.

“Clearly we see a lot of it in the press at the moment, what some are doing.

“Let me be honest, everyone’s going to have an opinion about this and you’re going to upset someone.

“I believe that something major needs to be done about this.”

The TV personality then accused some of “putting me in a box” after he faced backlash online for his passionate speech.

In a post on X, Rylan said: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes.

“You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women.

“You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. The list continues.

“Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”