Watch the moment a GB News panel erupts as one of its contributors lashes out at the surge of St George’s and Union flags across Britain.
Political commentator Benjamin Butterworth said the debate surrounding the migrant crisis has become racially charged.
“We have a proud record of helping people around the world, we should help refugees”, he said.
Daily Express columnist Carole Malone hit back, saying the Government is unable to deal with the high volume of refugees.
Benjamin Butterworth and Carole Malone locked horns on GB News
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“Why are we letting these people come in day after day when we don’t have to follow the ECHR [European Convention on Human Rights] rules?” she asked.
The debate has intensified to a point where Britons are now regularly protesting outside hotels housing migrants.
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Mr Butterworth was asked if Britain is becoming a “powder keg” with police struggling to handle demonstrations.
He said: “I think many of these protesters don’t really care. I think they see it as an opportunity for disorder and promoting their racist views.”
Patrick Christys was left exasperated by Mr Butterworth's remarks
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Ms Malone asked him if he “seriously thinks” the people taking to the streets of Epping, Essex, where the protests originally kicked off, are all racist.
“I suspect a lot of them,” he said.
It was then put to Mr Butterworth that the public are voicing their frustration in a peaceful manner through means such as unfurling patriotic flags.
“These people don’t care about this country”, he responded, a remark that sparked fury amongst his fellow panellists with Ms Malone saying “this is tosh.”
He continued: “They go around ruining town centres by spraying red crosses everywhere.
“You’re allowed to be frustrated, you’re not allowed to damage lamp posts.”
Ms Malone asked: “Do you not see the frustration that people in this country, who are broke, who need a house, need a job, see people coming into this country and getting all of that?”
“And what is sticking a flag up on a lamp post going to do about that?,” asked Mr Butterworth.
Benjamin Butterworth sparked fury with his comments
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It comes after a female protest organiser was detained on Sunday evening whilst attempting to display a Union Flag from Epping Forest district council premises.
The unnamed woman had positioned herself on a first-floor ledge above the civic offices entrance when police intervened.
Video recordings captured officers removing her from the building as fellow demonstrators voiced their objections.
Witnesses could be heard calling out "she's a woman" and "what are they doing" as the arrest unfolded.
Epping pink ladies voice fury after 'absolutely disgraceful' Epping ruling
The incident occurred during wider demonstrations involving approximately 200 people gathered in the Essex town.
The protests followed Friday's Court of Appeal decision permitting the Home Office to maintain asylum seeker accommodation at a local hotel.
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Essex Police have firmly rejected online speculation that the arrest related to displaying the national flag. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper stated: "We know the strength of feeling in Epping regarding a very important issue. And to reiterate what we've repeatedly said, we always remain impartial – this is the role of policing."
He clarified that the woman faced arrest for allegedly violating a Section 14 order whilst officers worked to calm an emotionally charged situation.
Protesters have been taking to the streets in Epping in their continued demonstration against the hotel | PA"To be very clear, despite suggestions we've seen on social media, she was not arrested for flying a Union Flag on the Civic Centre," Hooper emphasised.
Two additional arrests occurred during Sunday's events. One individual was detained for allegedly breaching the same order after declining to disperse when the gathering ended.
Another faced arrest on suspicion of inciting racial hatred following reports of an emblem being set ablaze on Friday evening.
All three individuals remained in police custody.
Tensions simmered on the GB News panel
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The legal proceedings centred on the Bell Hotel, which currently accommodates 138 male asylum seekers. The Court of Appeal's ruling overturned a temporary injunction that Epping council had secured earlier in the month.
The local authority had argued that Somani Hotels violated planning regulations by converting the property into migrant accommodation.
The injunction would have required asylum seekers to vacate the premises by September 12.
Home Office lawyers successfully contended that the Home Secretary held obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights to prevent asylum seekers becoming homeless.
They maintained these responsibilities superseded the council's planning enforcement powers.
The matter will proceed to a comprehensive judicial review at the High Court in mid-October.
Local residents have pledged to maintain their opposition, with some threatening to withhold council tax payments. The demonstrations gained momentum following allegations that a hotel resident had sexually assaulted a teenage girl last month.
The Conservative Party has encouraged local authorities to persist with legal action against asylum accommodation arrangements, despite the Home Office's courtroom success.
The ruling judge, Lord Justice Bean, now faces a conduct complaint alleging "apparent bias" due to his founding membership of Matrix Chambers, which the complaint describes as being "firmly associated with advocacy in favour of allowing migrants to stay".