Social media erupted with criticism on Monday after Ed Balls appeared on Good Morning Britain, where he discuss the government's management of asylum accommodation and a high-profile case involving an incorrectly released prisoner.
The presenter faced a backlash from viewers who took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their displeasure about his commentary on Home Office failures.
Many viewers expressed frustration that Mr Balls was critiquing government policy whilst his spouse had recently held a senior position within the same department.
The controversy arose during a segment examining parliamentary findings about financial mismanagement in the asylum system and the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu, a convicted sex offender who had previously sought asylum in Britain.
GMB viewers blasted presenter Ed Balls
|ITV
MPs on the Home Affairs Committee have issued a scathing assessment of the government's asylum accommodation strategy, stating that a "rushed and chaotic" implementation has resulted in billions of pounds being squandered.
The committee's findings coincided with Monday's Good Morning Britain discussion, during which Balls addressed the case of Hadush Kebatu, who had been accommodated in asylum housing before his arrest.
Mr Balls noted during the programme: "Kebatu was housed at the time of his arrest, which sparked weeks of protest.
"People were pretty appalled to see when he was supposed to be being moved to being deported, he was accidentally released from prison."
Ed Balls' wife Yvette Cooper was Home Secretary until last month
|ITV
The administrative blunder saw Kebatu, an Epping resident, travel extensively on London's railway system before police successfully located and detained him on Monday morning.
The connection that sparked viewer outrage centres on Mr Balls' wife, Yvette Cooper, having served as Home Secretary until approximately one month ago, placing her at the helm of the department responsible for asylum accommodation policies.
One viewer posted on X: "Question to @edballs Who was the Home Secretary during that time? Here's a clue you are married to her. Balls trying to taking us all for mugs."
Another wrote: "@edballs sitting there smugly forgetting that HIS WIFE was the Home Secretary up until a month ago. She should RESIGN."
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A third viewer questioned: "How @edballs can brazenly sit there discussing the billions of money wasted when his missus was in charge of the Home Office defies belief!"
Several posts demanded to know why Mr Balls was permitted to appear on the programme, with one calling his presence "disgraceful".
The online response wasn't uniformly critical, with some users defending Mr Balls' right to comment regardless of his marital connection.
One X user questioned: "Why should he be responsible for what his wife does in her job?"
Billions of pounds have been wasted because of a 'rushed and chaotic' approach to asylum hotels, according to a group of MPs.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) October 27, 2025
In a damning report, the Home Affairs Committee has warned the Government needs to 'get a grip' of the failed system.@SwainITV reports. pic.twitter.com/GJnO8xqSOE
Another pointed out that the asylum accommodation issues "Started under Conservatives", suggesting the problems predated his wife's tenure.
However, negative reactions dominated the social media discourse, with viewers accusing Balls of being a "troublemaker" who "thrives on it".
Ed Balls was criticised by GMB viewers on Monday
|ITV
One frustrated viewer wrote: "#GMB Ed Balls really is terrible, he never reads the rooms properly a d always tries to push a stupid unfunny joke. Give it up man!" (sic)
The Justice Secretary has since confirmed that Kebatu will be deported "sometime later this week", with David Lammy ordering an investigation into the administrative failure that led to his wrongful release.