Two women have been arrested in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, after one launched racist abuse during a live Sky News interview, in an incident highlighting growing tensions over asylum seekers in the UK.
The confrontation occurred while local businessman Zahin, 32, was being interviewed about community divisions over attitudes toward asylum seekers. Two women, aged 30 and 43, walked past with children. One, holding a beer, stepped in front of the camera and shouted, while the other claimed, “you’re raping our kids,” and later hurled a racial slur.
Zahin, who moved to the UK from Malawi at age six, remained composed, asking, “What you teaching them kids?” before the interview crew relocated for safety. The Sky News presenter intervened to ensure he was unharmed.
Warwickshire Police said the 30-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, while the 43-year-old was also charged with racially aggravated common assault. A spokesperson said, “The footage saw members of the public subjected to racial abuse, with one reportedly being pushed. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The episode comes amid heightened public anger over the government’s housing of asylum seekers in hotels. Recent protests have erupted nationwide following the Court of Appeal overturning a ruling to remove migrants from The Bell Hotel in Epping, with hundreds taking to streets waving England flags and Union Jacks in anti-immigration demonstrations. Some flags have been torn down, fuelling tensions further.
Political leaders have weighed in, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticizing the government’s approach to asylum, claiming illegal migrants have more rights than British citizens. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned the handling of asylum accommodation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged public frustration, pledging to accelerate the closure of asylum hotels and to tighten accommodation standards. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added that measures would include increasing room-sharing and identifying alternative, more appropriate housing solutions.
Farage recently unveiled a plan, dubbed Operation Restoring Justice, proposing the mass deportation of up to 600,000 undocumented migrants over five years and the withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
Zahin, while condemning the abusive behavior during the interview, said he supports peaceful protests, stating: “We have a right to protest for whatever cause we want to, that’s the beauty of living in England.”
Watch the video below……………………………
Sickening footage from Nuneaton, where a Sky interview with a local businessman was disrupted by racists hurling abuse.
Another local said, “Warwickshire Council Council has gone to Reform… It’s given certain people a licence to be aggressive & racist.”
Via @Shamaan_SkyNews. pic.twitter.com/CDuv8VLB23
— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) September 1, 2025
