BBC Question Time Erupts as Labour Minister Claims ‘Majority’ of Small Boat Migrants Are Women and Children

359

Audience turns on Darren Jones after ‘outrageous’ claim contradicted by own government’s data showing 73% are adult males

A Labour minister sparked fury on BBC Question Time after claiming “the majority of the people in these boats are children, babies and women” – despite his own government’s statistics showing 73% of small boat arrivals in 2024 were adult males.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones made the controversial statement during Thursday night’s programme from Fleetwood, prompting immediate pushback from the audience and Reform UK representative Zia Yusuf.

The clash came as more than 14,800 people have arrived in Britain after making the crossing so far in 2025 – making it the worst start to the year on record. The arrivals continued today, with pictures showing migrants being bussed away from Dover after being intercepted by a Border Force cutter.

HEATED EXCHANGE

When Mr Jones claimed that “the majority of the people in these boats are children, babies and women,” cries of disbelief erupted from members of the public in the audience.

Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf immediately interjected: “More than 90 per cent of them are adult men.

Home Office figures show 73% of small boat arrivals in 2024 – or 26,999 out of all 36,816 arrivals – were adult males, with PA news agency analysis confirming similar proportions for the period from January 2018 to March 2025.

Following Mr Yusuf’s intervention, host Fiona Bruce turned to Mr Jones and asked: “You’re saying that’s not true?”

DOUBLING DOWN

Rather than backing down, the Treasury minister pressed on with his claim.

“I’m saying it’s not true. I’m saying this is controversial for a reason and you’re told you’re not supposed to challenge the audience on Question Time, but I’m going to,” Jones replied.

He continued with an emotional appeal: “When there are babies and children put into that position by human trafficking gangs, who are coming across the Channel with skin burns from the oil from those boats mixing with the salt sea water, I would ask any of you to look at those babies and children and say ‘go back’.

REFORM HITS BACK

Mr Yusuf seized on the exchange to make a political point: “In my previous answer, I made the case that this Government prioritises foreign citizens over citizens of the United Kingdom. After that testimony, I can rest my case.

The vast, vast majority of people making the journey from France by small boat are fighting age, military age, males, not women and children.

He went on to highlight the impact on local communities, mentioning his time in Runcorn and Helsby where residents were concerned about illegal migrants being “deposited into communities” with “no say for the local people.

GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO CORRECT

The controversy continued into Friday, with Downing Street refusing to clarify or comment on Jones’s claim at the regular lobby briefing of journalists.

When pressed, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman would only say: “We have been clear that our focus is on tackling these vile gangs who deal in human misery.

The spokesman confirmed that Starmer still had confidence in Jones but offered nothing else.

OPPOSITION FURY

The Conservatives have accused Mr Jones of being “completely out of touch with reality.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “No wonder this is shaping up to be the worst year on record for small boat crossings. If this is what passes for reality inside the Labour Government, Britain is in serious trouble.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch joined the calls for an apology, saying: “We want to see the government telling the truth. He said something that was not true, and he should apologise.

“We’re not going to have any trust in the Government or in politicians if people can’t believe what it is that they are saying or what it is that they’re hearing. Darren Jones should absolutely retract his remarks and apologise.”

THE FACTS

According to multiple sources including The Spectator, government statistics state in black and white that “since January 2018, 70 per cent of people detected arriving irregularly have been adult males ages 18 and over.

The document notes that in the same time period, “just under one-fifth (19 per cent)” of detected arrivals were children.

Migration Watch UK analysis shows that between 2018 and 2023, adult males consistently made up around 70% of irregular arrivals.

LABOUR MP CONTRADICTS COLLEAGUE

Adding to the government’s embarrassment, Labour MP Mike Tapp appeared to contradict his colleague when speaking to GB News, confirming that the majority of those crossing the Channel are young men.

“You’ll have to ask Darren” about his comments, Tapp said diplomatically.

REFORM LEADER WEIGHS IN

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage took to social media to blast the minister, writing: “Labour’s Darren Jones claims the majority of illegal migrants crossings at Dover are ‘children, babies and women. This is simply not true. Another clueless Labour minister.

The row threatens to overshadow the government’s efforts to tackle the small boats crisis, with figures showing 2025 is on track to be another record year for Channel crossings despite Labour’s pledge to “smash the gangs.