A television presenter has been forced to flee his home and live in hiding with his heavily pregnant wife following death threats from human trafficking gangs. Patrick Christys, who hosts the Tonight current affairs show on GB News, was warned by the Metropolitan Police that his life was at risk due to his journalistic work exposing people smugglers operating in northern France.
The journalist recounted that intelligence services believed his life was in danger, prompting the police to order him and his wife, fellow GB News presenter Emily Carver, to leave their home in the early hours of the morning. They were instructed to pack a bag, avoid their car, and travel by taxi to a safe house.
Christys stated that the ordeal began in July of the previous year when he started identifying and alerting authorities to the activities of human traffickers. He discovered that these individuals advertised their services on platforms like TikTok, with further communication about locations, times, and prices conducted via WhatsApp. Feeling that insufficient action was being taken, Christys and a camera crew traveled to Calais to confront some of the smugglers directly, resulting in death threats.
Upon returning to London, Christys received a formal "threat to life" notice from the Metropolitan Police, detailing that organized immigration crime groups were actively seeking to cause him significant harm as a result of his reporting. The police advised him to leave his flat immediately and not return.
While the couple were eventually allowed to return home after a panic alarm was fitted, Christys continued his work, albeit under police guidance to disguise himself when going out. The anxiety heightened shortly after the birth of their son when Christys encountered one of the men he had exposed in Calais on a London street, an encounter he described as a chilling signal.
Further distress arose when the couple learned that the panic alarm had been disconnected by contractors for ten days without their knowledge, due to a lack of resources for the police. The intelligence services have not withdrawn their warning, leaving the couple uncertain about the specific individuals who threatened them and whether the threat has subsided.
Christys expressed frustration with the perceived lack of action against these gangs, both in Northern France and within Britain. He noted that some traffickers operate with impunity, displaying weapons on their social media profiles. He also drew parallels to other incidents involving public figures, such as attacks on Ann Widdecombe and Nigel Farage's home, raising concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the Metropolitan Police and intelligence services.
Despite the threats, Christys stated his determination to continue his reporting, asserting that the traffickers' intention to silence him has failed. He plans to return to Northern France in the coming weeks to continue his investigation, emphasizing that GB News considers this important journalism and will not be intimidated.