TalkTV’s Julia Hartley-Brewer exploded during a heated clash with journalist Benjamin Butterworth after reports of the first migrant boat being detained
TalkTV’s Julia Hartley-Brewer clashed with a guest (Image: TalkTV)
TalkTV host Julia Hartley-Brewer furiously clashed with journalist Benjamin Butterworth as they debated Britain’s “duty of care” to migrants from across the world. Their disagreement came after the Home Office revealed the first small boat had been detained under the new UK-France deal.
Discussing the government’s motivation behind dealing with the channel crossing crisis, Benjamin said: “I do think they understand that it is a problem, I don’t believe that they simply accepted that these people were coming across because people die in the channel, it’s horrific.” However, before he could continue, Julia exclaimed: “Do you know what, I don’t care anymore!” She continued: “I know that sounds terrible, but I no longer care; it’s been publicised enough that this is a dangerous route.”
Julia said she “doesn’t care anymore” (Image: TalkTV)
“I’ve been on one of those kinds of boats and there’s been six of us going from mainland to the Isle of Wight; it was bleeding terrifying on just the waters there.
“The idea that I would get on a dinghy which is clearly meant for 10 people and there are 50 or 60 of us piled on, 80 in some cases now all the way there.”
Julia fumed: “They’ve got mobile phones. They can look up, ‘What is the distance? Is it just a little lake I’m going to cross?’ Let’s stop thinking these people are all stupid. They’ve got mobile phones. They know what they’re doing.
“If you choose to get on one of those rickety dinghies, I’m sorry, I don’t think you’re my problem or responsibility, and if you’re in front of me, I will try and stop you from drowning. I don’t want people to drown.”
The broadcaster stated: “I think the parents that put little kids on should be sodding well sent to prison for the rest of their lives for putting their children’s lives at risk.”
As Benjamin attempted to argue: “But doesn’t that tell you how desperate they are? Julia interrupted: “No, they’re in France! They’re in France! I’m desperate to go to France!”
He repeated, “I think these people are desperate,” which prompted the presenter to claim, “They’re not desperate. They might have been desperate when they left Syria or something. They’re not desperate by the time they’ve reached any part of Europe.”
After the journalist explained that the “worst famine in the world is in Sudan, these people are in horrific situations,” Julia fumed: “Well, these men don’t look very starving,” before adding: “But the women and the children aren’t? The elderly, the women and the children miraculously cope with living in Sudan … but the men leave?”
