A fierce debate erupted on GB News when presenter Ben Leo and former Labour spokesman James Matthewson clashed over a controversial bonfire display in Northern Ireland featuring an effigy of migrants in a boat.
The row centred on whether the display, which showed a vessel with approximately twelve life-sized mannequins wearing lifejackets atop a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, constituted racism.
Matthewson condemned the effigy as "disgusting and racist", whilst Ben defended it as a protest against illegal migration rather than a racist act.
The bonfire, which has since been lit according to police reports, also featured placards reading "Stop the boats" and "Veterans before refugees", and forms part of traditional loyalist commemorations marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
Ben Leo clashed with James Matthewson on GB News
GB NEWS
The heated exchange intensified when Ben stated "I don't think it's particularly racist", prompting Matthewson to respond: "You don't think it's racist to put brown dummies on a bonfire? Are you being serious?"
Ben countered by asking why Matthewson was "thinking about skin colour" and questioned "What does it matter?" in relation to what he characterised as "a bonfire opposing illegal migration".
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The bonfire was set alight in Northern Island on Thursday evening as part of loyalist celebrationsPA"Why did they choose brown dummies?" Matthewson pressed, to which Ben replied: "I don't know James, ask them."
Matthewson accused the presenter of "doing mental gymnastics" and later stated that whilst he opposed burning any effigies, this case was particularly concerning given tensions in Northern Ireland.
The former Labour spokesman highlighted government responsibilities, referencing Britain First's activities and recent community divisions.
The Moygashel bonfire was one of several hundred lit across Northern Ireland on Thursday and Friday as part of annual celebrations commemorating King William III's Protestant victory over Catholic forces at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Ben Leo clashed with Matthewson on GB News
GB NEWS
Politicians from across the political spectrum condemned the display. Sinn Féin's Colm Gildernew called it "an absolutely disgusting act fuelled by sickening racist and far-right attitudes" and demanded its immediate removal.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn reported the display to police, stating: "Those responsible for this hateful display claim to be celebrating British culture. Let's be clear, racism and intimidation are not culture. This isn't pride, it's poison."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed they were investigating a hate incident. The display emerged following anti-immigrant riots in Ballymena and other towns last month.
Ben argued that government failures to protect borders lead to extremism, stating: "When you have extreme policies like allowing 44,000 illegal migrants to cross the Channel in a year, most of them fighting age from and we don't know where they are from, you leave people fearful and young women and girls at increased risk of sexual attack."
"When that carries on, it tends to lead to extremist behaviour," he added.
Matthewson rejected this argument, saying "No it doesn't, Ben" and accused him of being unable to acknowledge racism whilst going "through hoops to blame migration".
Ben maintained he "doesn't have a problem" with the bonfire, calling it "people's prerogative". The exchange concluded with the GB News star telling Matthewson to visit Dover and "count the number of strange men coming into the country".