Reform UK’s policy chief Zia Yusuf has exploded at the BBC after the broadcaster invited multiple asylum seekers to participate in a Question Time immigration special filmed in Dover – prompting outrage from the party and right-wing commentators.
The programme, recorded in a constituency at the centre of the Channel crossings crisis, featured a panel including Migration Minister Mike Tapp, Conservative MP Kieran Mullan, Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper, Green leader Zack Polanski, and Yusuf himself.
Following the broadcast, Yusuf told GB News he “could not believe” what he witnessed.
What on earth is an illegal migrant doing in the BBC Question Time audience, telling law-abiding British citizens, why we shouldn’t leave the ECHR?
A taxpayer funded broadcaster platforming people who should not be in the UK.
🔵 ‘They were joking – then the BBC actually did it’
Yusuf said social media users had sarcastically predicted that Question Time would feature “illegal migrants” — only for the BBC to, in his words, “staggeringly” make that a reality.
“There were two illegal migrants who’d come originally by small boat. The BBC were very open about that.”
One participant used their moment at the microphone to read a scripted statement from their smartphone urging the UK not to leave the European Convention on Human Rights – a moment Yusuf described as “incredibly surreal.”
🔵 ‘How is it appropriate?’ – Yusuf blasts BBC over immigrants given platform
Yusuf went further, labelling the BBC’s editorial decision “bewildering” and suggesting it undermined the seriousness of national debate on illegal immigration.
“How on earth is it appropriate that people who broke into this country illegally should have a seat at the table?”
‘I couldn’t believe that this was happening in such an open and blatant way.’
Zia Yusuf gives his experience of being on the BBC’s Question Time panel tonight, where illegal immigrants were invited into the audience and asked questions. pic.twitter.com/tKVQF6cuU0
He said the experience felt so surreal that he “genuinely had to reassure myself that it actually happened.”
During the show, one asylum seeker admitted that their application had been rejected by six other countries before arriving in Britain.
🔵 Reform’s stance: ‘If you came here illegally, you will be deported’
Asked whether a Reform government would deport such individuals, Yusuf was firm:
“If you came to this country illegally, yes – you will be deported. Absolutely.”
His answer drew gasps from parts of the audience – something he suggested must have required deliberate audience selection by the BBC.
He also questioned how the broadcaster had found an audience in Dover that applauded Zack Polanski’s call for more immigration:
“The whole thing was incredibly surreal. I think it is frankly a scandal.”
🔵 ‘BBC bias?’ – Yusuf says the broadcaster has questions to answer
Pressed on whether this showed institutional bias, he urged viewers to watch the clips themselves.
“I could not believe this was happening in such an open and blatant way.”
Yusuf previously blasted the BBC for using licence fee money to feature “people who literally broke into this country.”
He added sarcastically:
“What’s next? On Budget day, are they going to bring on tax evaders?”
🟦 BBC Response
A BBC spokesperson defended the programme, saying it featured more than 20 different audience voices and that two contributors with asylum experience had been granted refugee status.
“Question Time held a special episode in Dover with panellists from across the political spectrum and a local audience with a range of views and experiences.”
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