Watch the moment GB News guests were left baffled after a guest ran to the defence of a Green councillor who had her grandchildren send Valentine’s Day cards to asylum seekers.
Anne Cross, of East Sussex County Council, announced the hand-made cards will be presented to asylum seekers living in the Crowborough army camp this weekend.
In footage of a recent meeting exposed by Guido Fawkes, the councillor said: “My grandchildren and I painted some cards – Valentine’s Cards – at the weekend which we are going to be presenting to the men in the camp in Crowborough as a welcome.”
But the controversial move has fuelled fury among locals, many of whom have expressed safety concerns, with local Sammy White unleashing her rage on Good Afternoon Britain.
Branding the move “downright dangerous”, the resident told GB News: “I’m absolutely astounded and quite frankly, appalled that this is even a topic for discussion.”
Later on, Reform UK councillor Jaymey McIvor added Ms Cross should be “absolutely ashamed of herself” and echoed the thoughts of Ms White that it could pose a risk to girls and women in the area.
“But it’s all very well, if it’s not your granddaughter being sexually assaulted or raped – that’s fine, isn’t it? As long as it’s not your grandchildren,” he slung.
But journalist Benjamin Butterworth argued the decision could be construed as “compassionate”, leading to a perplexed response from the panel.
Mr Butterworth said the councillor was teaching her grandchildren compassion
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GB NEWS
Addressing Mr McIvor and presenter Alex Armstrong, who was also incredulous at the councillor’s comments, he said: “I think you need to question your moral compass because Christian values say you should love thy neighbour.
“That is what this woman is doing. It’s obviously not a romantic gesture.
“It is showing affection and consideration to people that have fled from appalling circumstances, who are living in turmoil by being in a hotel in that situation, and she’s extending a hand of friendship.
“I think that is a very healthy way to raise your child, that you should be considerate and compassionate to other people’s lives.”
Anne Cross said she and her grandchildren have written Valentine’s Day cards to asylum seekers at the Crowborough migrant camp | EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Mr Butterworth added: “I think there is a rank hypocrisy from right wingers like you who say that you should get these people to integrate, that they should learn about British values, that they should become part of the community if they wish to live here.
“And yet when someone reaches out to do that in a considerate, compassionate way, you say that is a bad thing.”
“What planet are you living on?” Alex interjected, arguing that integration and assimiliation should be treated separately from children sending Valentine’s Day cards to the migrants.
“I don’t think encouraging children, who we teach from a young age to avoid strangers on the streets, writing them cards that might be love hearts on them in letters that they could misconstrue as as potentially affectionate is a good idea,” he argued.
“It’s all just a bit weird.”
In a statement to GB News, Ms Cross said: “Making cards to welcome people seeking asylum is a common activity for local people, school children and refugee charities. I joined in that activity with my grandchildren.
“The cards will go, anonymously, to the men in the camp as a welcome from the local community. There has been much misinformation about the men who will be housed in the camp and this has created a climate of fear.
“But there is no evidence that children or women are at a higher risk from people seeking asylum than other sections of our society.”
Last week, an Iranian asylum seeker, who came to the UK illegally on the back of a lorry in July 2024, has been sentenced to 7.5 years for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old girl “forcefully and aggressively”.
Ahmadreza Khalafi, 29, previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the teen at St Albans Crown Court in December last year.
Several days later, an Afghan small boat migrant was found guilty of abducting and raping 12-year-old girl at Warwick Crown Court.
Asylum seeker Ahmad Mulakhil was convicted of abducting, raping and taking an indecent video of the pre-teen in Nuneaton.