‘I never said that!’ Nana Akua rages at ex-Met detective in explosive row over migrant protests

People’s Channel fan-favourite Nana took issue with Kirkham’s opinion, asking what he meant specifically.

“What do you mean spreading untruths? People are rightly allowed to peacefully protest outside a hotel if they are not happy with the situation, particularly when you hear taxpayers’ money is being used by some of these seeking asylum to gamble in casinos and betting shops”, she said.

“That would be an example I guess”, Kirkham responded. He continued: “The bland statement they used about taxpayer money being used in a casino, I’m sure it can be applied to a few.”

Nana said: “You don’t think it’s exacerbated by some migrants using taxpayers’ money?”

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The ex-detective said Nana was taking the point “out of context” by focusing on migrants using taxpayers’ money.

“I’m struggling to see the issue. I’m just pointing out something that has been reported”, Nana said.

“We’re supposed to be caring and catering for people supposedly claiming asylum and taxpayers feel they are being taken advantage of.”

Kirkham said it was an issue for politicians to deal with as there are no limits on what migrants can spend their benefits on.

The pair warred over a Home Office investigation into claims some asylum seekers may be gambling British taxpayers’ money away in casinos.

Payment cards given to them for essentials such as food are suspected to have been misused and the Government has promised urgent action were this to be confirmed.

Asylum seekers are usually put up in fully catered hotels and given £9.95 a week on their Aspen card when they first arrive.

The total then rises to £49.18 a week when they’re moved to self-catered accommodation.

Nana and Kirkham then turned their attention to the asylum backlog, with the GB News star growing increasingly exasperated by her debating partner’s arguments.

“There are some asylum seekers we know nothing about but the majority we know a lot about, we know there are hospital surgeons among them”, said Kirkham.

“We have a backlog because a lot of the claims haven’t been processed”, Nana argued. “That means we haven’t found out a lot about the people seeking asylum.”

Kirkham said Nana was making a wrongful connection, continuing: “There’s a lot more to know about them than their background. If you want to register a refugee claim, you need to know a lot more than just the background of the individual.

“You can’t have it both ways. You can’t have them receiving taxpayers’ money doing nothing then they can’t have a job.”

“I love the way you’re telling me what I’m saying, you’ve literally surmised something that has come out of nowhere”, said Nana.

“I’m saying people who’ve come here to seek asylum shouldn’t be put into work because we don’t know enough about them.”

Kirkham tried to interrupt, leading to Nana repeatedly telling him “let me finish” before arguing the British public are “rightfully frustrated” given the way their money is being spent by asylum seekers.

“How many people are doing that? What proportion of the money is spent in casinos and betting shops?”, he asked.

Nana said: “I don’t even think the Home Office knows that. In fact, most people here don’t know anything about them because they are sitting and languishing. The Government is absolutely at fault and it’s horrendous.”