GB News migrant report sparks furious backlash: 'Utter insanity'

GB News fans were fuming over the latest migrant segment, as commentator Duncan Barkes explained that migrants who cross the English Channel illegally could be owed hundreds of pounds in compensation from the UK government. Ellie Costello had the headlines, saying: "Channel migrants in line for millions of pounds in compensation as asylum seekers lodge legal claims for what they call inhumane conditions."

Barkes then explained: "So this centres around Manston [in Thanet, Kent]. It used to be a former RAF base and international airport - it has been used over the last few years as a holding place for people who cross the Channel illegally. This goes back to 2022 and there are a number of claims that are being made, 194 asylum seekers in total have lodged legal claims for what they say is their unlawful detention and mistreatment on arrival.

"This is being done under something called the ECHR [European Convention on Human Rights], which is constantly in the headlines. Even certain Labour politicians have said we need to reform the ECHR somehow."

Barkes went on to explain: "The allegations include sexual assaults, physical abuse and thefts of property by guards, as well as the state of the place where people are being detained. There's a claim it was disease-ridden, dirty and cold conditions.

"The Home Office has always said we're not going to settle against these claims, which is why now lawyers have got involved. The average compensation claim for up to 24 hours of unlawful detention is £500 - but of course the bigger issue here is if the government loses this, it's gonna open the floodgates for anyone else who was detained at Manston."

Furious fans took to social media to complain about the "utter insanity" of the segment, with one tweeting: "This is utter insanity! Come here illegally but you can sue the country you broke into!"

Another fumed: "It's like breaking into someone's house and then suing them for the lack of food in the fridge."

While a third penned: "They are free to go home any time they like."