BBC Question Time guest sparks outrage after 'disgraceful' remark about small boat migrant protests

In recent weeks, demonstrators have taken to the streets in Gosport, Dover, and Piddington to protest the arrivals. Meanwhile, YouTuber Danny Tommo will appear in court today after allegedly slashing a boat in the English Channel with an emergency worker aboard.

The displays prompted a Question Time guest to ask the panel whether the protests were a greater cause for concern than the arrivals themselves. Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, was the first to provide an answer.

BBC Question Time headed to Cambridge on Thursday

BBC

"I think the first thing you've got to say is that there are a lot of people concerned about this who are not behaving as those protesters did, and I think you've got to recognise the legitimacy of the concerns that people have about legal migration to the UK," he began.

"The way you solve that is to actually solve the problem. People who shouldn't be in the UK have to go, but 80,000 people have been deported under us because of that.

"People shouldn't be making this journey to begin with. It's incredibly dangerous for them. A lot of people have been prevented from doing that. Not enough, I accept."

He went on: "My issue with the protesters is I think people exploit this, they want to use it for their own aims. They want to intimidate people, and they want to kind of spread a message that there's no way we can solve this and you should be angry about it.

Ash Sarkar was branded a 'disgrace' by angry viewers for her remarks

BBC

"I think that's what we've got to be wary about. But I wouldn't want people to think there are no legitimate concerns about the problem as it stands. But some of these people protesting frankly have no interest in solving a problem."

Host Fiona Bruce turned to Helen Whately, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, for a rebuttal. "I'm quite shocked. I've met people who've been protesting and who care very deeply (and are) very worried about some of the things that are happening," she replied.

"I think, to me, you're sounding out of touch with the level of concern about legal migration to this country."

She clarified that she felt "a vigilante justice approach to it... is the wrong way" before adding that the "right way" to stop the protests is to "stop the small boats coming here".

Police and protesters in Gosport, Hampshire earlier this week

"What we clearly need is to have control of our borders, and a very clear policy that if people come here illegally, they're detained, and they're either returned to their home country or a third country... They need to know that they cannot stay here."

After hearing from the politicians, Ms Bruce turned to Ms Sarkar: "I'm sorry. I feel like I'm going completely nuts," she chipped in.

"There are mobs of men styling themselves as paramilitaries, and both of you have had more to say about refugees and asylum seekers than you have had racism, which I just think is completely obscene."

Applause began in the crowd before Ms Sarkar continued: "Wherever you stand on the issue of immigration, there's a variety of opinions; they're all legitimate, we all want to see the rule of law.

Jonathan Reynolds also took part in the debate

BBC

"We all want to see people protesting within the law, and all of us in this room, I think, object to the kind of violent, thuggish racism that many of these hardened, far-right activists espouse.

"I don't think that they've got anything to do with patriotism, despite styling themselves as patriots. I think that this is small penis behaviour, quite frankly."

Ripples of laughter emanated from the audience as Ms Sarkar's tirade against the protestors went on: "This is a bunch of guys who want to feel like big men, because the missus says they can't see the kids anymore.

"And what I think is absurd is that when we're talking about this, when we're talking about individuals being made to feel unsafe where they live, when we're looking at boats being slashed on camera, children chanting into megaphones, 'Let them drown.' You guys are just saying, 'Well, it's about the small boats.'

Helen Whately called for the boats to be stopped

BBC

"Maybe it's also about the racism and the thuggery," she signed off.

The comments sparked a flood of complaints on social media. Taking to X, one user said they were "disgusted" before commenting: "Vile and toxic leftie so-called political commentator Ash Sarkar sat on Question Time last night and this was her answer to people who’ve had enough of the boats... I’m sick of being told this is compassion. It isn’t. It’s a political class that would rather insult the public than stop the boats."

Another echoed: "Ash Sarkar is a disgrace. Here she is on @bbcquestiontime, keeping it classy by dismissing people protesting immigration as 'small penis behaviour'. Great argument, Ash. I’m sure your mates were proud."

"#BBCQT I thought ‘lefty’ Ash Sarker made an embarrassing ‘show’ of herself, with the vulgarities she came out with - in front of the panel and the audience!! She certainly got some disapproving looks," a third weighed in.

Ash Sarkar described the protestors as 'small-penised men'

BBC

And the complaints kept coming from a fourth who called out the BBC specifically: "Why did you not call out Ash Sarkar when she said protestors were men with small penises and who can’t see their kids? Sexist and denial of access is not a laughing matter - a poisonous hateful woman given a platform by @bbc."

Another asked: "Did Ash Sarkar just refer to protesters as 'small-penised men'? How can this be acceptable, BBC? If she'd said the women all had flat chests, or 'probably on their period' there would be outrageous. She wasn't even challenged by Fiona. Disgraceful." (sic)

Ms Sarkar did have her supporters, however. "Ash Sarkar is right. Masked men marching in the streets abusing people are nothing to do with patriotism. #bbcqt," one person argued.

While a second similarly jumped to her defence: "Ash Sarkar is right to call out the racism behind the people protesting the small boats. #bbcqt."

Ms Sarkar responded to the furore caused by her comments in an X post of her own on Friday morning.

When an X user accused Ms Sarkar's remarks of setting a double standard, she promptly hit back: "You know what they say – a hit dog will holler..."