Ben Leo has hit back at veteran broadcaster Kay Burley after the pair became embroiled in a fiery social media spat over migrant crossings.
The war of words erupted after Reform UK politician Zia Yusuf shared a photograph on X showing scores of migrants aboard a so-called “mega dinghy”.
“That’s not a ‘small boat’. It’s an Invasion,” Mr Yusuf declared alongside the image.
Ms Burley, 65, was quick to dismiss his characterisation of the crossing, replying: “I’ve seen longer queues in the ‘five items or fewer’ isle. Stop it, just stop it!” (sic)
Ben Leo delivered a cutting response after Kay Burley mocked him on X
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GB NEWS
Her remark prompted a response from the GB News presenter, who accused the former Sky News presenter of downplaying concerns over Channel crossings.
“Just stop it guys. Stop noticing! Look away. Stop overreacting,” he wrote.
“Is it any wonder the country’s in the state it’s in when the media was led by this kind of mindset?”
Ben continued: “Not anymore. Thank goodness for GB News.”
Kay Burley left Sky News in February 2025 after 36 years at the broadcaster
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GETTY
Ms Burley then turned her attention directly to Ben, with a cutting swipe, writing: “I had to look you up, Ben. Bless your cotton socks.”
But the GB News Chief US Correspondent swiftly fired back: “Don’t worry, I don’t seek notoriety.
“I’m just satisfied nobody listens to you anymore,” he signed off, with thousands of likes pouring in for the quick-witted response.
The exchange came after a vessel carrying approximately 230 migrants reached Kent on Monday in what was reported to be a record-breaking Channel crossing for a single boat.
Just stop it guys
Stop noticing!
Look away. Stop overreacting.
Is it any wonder the country’s in the state it’s in when the media was led by this kind of mindset
Not anymore. Thank goodness for GB News. https://t.co/D9zWfEFlXO
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) August 10, 2026
The vessel was reported to have carried more people than the typical capacity of a Boeing 737 and was larger than a London bus.
Jean-Marc Lamblin, director of France’s SNSM lifeboat service, warned there appeared to be “no limit” to the number of people being loaded onto the increasingly large vessels.
“For the past three months, we’ve been seeing more and more 15-metre boats,” he said.
“We recently passed the record of 150. We didn’t think there could be more, but there really seems to be no limit anymore.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also criticised French authorities following the crossing, claiming officers could have prevented the vessel from launching.
“This is now beyond a joke,” Mr Philp said.
“The French authorities could easily have stopped a vessel this size from embarking in shallow waters.”
Downing Street said the crossing demonstrated “the reality behind the ruthless smuggling gangs that are prepared to risk human lives for profit”.
don’t worry, I don’t seek notoriety.
I’m just satisfied nobody listens to you anymore.
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) August 10, 2026
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman pointed to the Government’s agreement with France and said joint action had prevented 47,000 attempted crossings since the election.
Ben’s exchange with Ms Burley prompted a flurry of supportive responses from his followers.
One wrote: “100% Ben, Kay Burley is yesterday’s news, Sky News don’t even want her anymore so she is annoying everyone on X trying to stay relevant.”
Another added: “She really seems troubled. It just appears to be one endless rant from her at the moment…”
The ‘mega dinghy’ was reported to have carried around 230 migrants across the Channel to Kent
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SNSM
A third claimed: “That’s because she has no involvement in real truthful media.”
Ms Burley was one of the original presenters to join Sky News when the broadcaster launched in 1989 and went on to spend more than three decades at the channel.
During her lengthy career, she covered major breaking news stories including the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the September 11 terror attacks and numerous general elections.
She retired from Sky News in February 2025 after 36 years at the broadcaster.
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