Overview

• On 27 August, the presenter told viewers it was “absolutely insane” that people risk Channel crossings, praised legal migrants in the NHS, and described arrivals being given hotels, devices and meals.
• He later posted on Instagram and X: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes,” urging more nuanced conversation.
• Reaction was split, with praise from right-wing activist Tommy Robinson and criticism from viewers who said seeking asylum is not illegal and challenged the claims he repeated.
• Clark returned to host This Morning the next day and avoided revisiting the topic on air, with no disciplinary action reported.
• Commentary linked the episode to a heated policy debate following Nigel Farage’s plan to deport 600,000 people over five years, as media voices questioned the accuracy of claims about iPads and four-star hotels and criticised ITV for limited real-time challenge.