Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls erupted at Zia Yusuf after the Reform UK member claimed he got something incorrect on air.
GMB: Ed Balls tells Zia Yusuf ‘don’t be silly’
Ed Balls was left furious at Zia Yusuf as he was corrected on Good Morning Britain when making a statement on Reform UK’s response to immigration.
The hosts were discussing at length the plans Reform UK have shared about what they would intend to do, but as Ed quizzed Zia, he began talking about Uganda and Hong Kong.
He said: “Listening to you speaking, if you came from Uganda, if you came from Hong Kong, as I understand it, if you came from the EU, either you’re going to become a citizen, or you’re going to get a new humanitarian visa. Who are the people you’re actually going to deport? Isn’t this a bit of a con?”
Zia responded: “Ed, either I misheard you, or you referred to Uganda and Hong Kong as inside the EU. Obviously those are not countries in the EU.”
Ed quickly spoke over him and said: “No I didn’t say that. I said Hong Kong, or Uganda, or the EU. Don’t be silly Zia.”
Ed Balls wasn’t happy with Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf (Image: ITV)
Zia ignored the response and continued to “give the facts”.
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Ed then asked upwards of five times: “How many of them will you deport?” Zia added: “The most important thing is that we’re going to stop the benefits going to foreign nationals. That is going to save people money.
“We can make no apologies, but under a Reform government, yet we will enforce immigration law. I know that might send some people hysterical in the political establishment because that hasn’t happened in decades, but I think British people expect our borders to be upheld.”
The clash with Ed came shortly after Zia also told Susanna Reid that her figures were “wrong” as they first welcomed him on the show.
A clash emerged between Zia and Ed Balls (Image: ITV)
Taking to X, viewers were quick to share their thoughts on Zia’s debate with the two hosts.
One user wrote: “‘We’re trying to get clear who you’re targeting’ was just the two presenters trying to trip Zia Yusuf up and he corrected them both (several times) brilliantly. This is exactly why the majority of us are looking forward to a Reform government as soon as possible.”
Another said: “Both your faces explained it all, completely tripping with the idea of basic common sense policies. You just don’t get it.”
A third wrote: “You completely refused to listen to a word Zia was saying, and to come out with that remark right at the end, proves it.”
GMB continues weekdays from 6.30am on ITV.
