Reform UK Criticised Over Navy Plan To Turn Back Small Boats

Reform UK have been mocked over a “reheated” plan to use the Royal Navy to turn back migrants coming to the UK in small boats.

The right-wing party said it will launch “the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two” if it wins the next election.

But Labour pointed out that Reform leader Nigel Farage had already announced the plan earlier this year.

They said it was only being highlighted again to distract from the ongoing controversy over Farage’s financial affairs.

Farage and Reform home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf will unveil the so-called “Operation Fortress” policy at a press conference on Monday.

It would see a Reform government set up a joint military command with units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and British Army to track incoming boats and then send them back to France and Belgium.

Yusuf said: “Britain is being invaded. Tory and Labour governments responded with a free ferry service and free hotels.

“Reform UK will respond by launching the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two.

“Nigel Farage will order His Majesty’s Royal Navy to ensure that not a single unauthorised vessel crossing the English Channel makes it to the shores of the United Kingdom.

“Those who attempt it will be intercepted by our Armed Forces and returned to France.”

But a Labour spokesman said: “Reform have reheated an old announcement in their latest desperate bid to distract from their growing sleaze scandals.

“Anger and easy answers won’t bring crossings down. The serious action we’ve taken have started to have a real impact and has led to 46,000 attempted crossings stopped, and 70,000 people with no right to be here removed.

“We know there’s more to do on this complex issue.

“What is far less complicated is Nigel Farage’s brazen attempts to dodge scrutiny over his secret £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire. It’s time he stopped the distraction tactics and came clean with the public.”

Prime minister Andy Burnham yesterday pledged to be “relentless” in his attempts to stop the small boat crossings.

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