Nigel Farage unveils plan for Navy to stop small boat crossings

► Reform UK has announced plans to intercept boats crossing the English Channel and return migrants to French ports – if it gets into power.

But Nigel Farage’s ‘Operation Fortress’ have been branded unworkable, with a Labour minister saying it would simply lead to a “lot of time arguing with France” rather than “getting to grips with the problem”.

France has said it would violate its sovereignty and breach international law.

Mr Farage said on Monday that he was "entirely confident" the plan could be justified under international maritime law, and added: “When you think about it, what is the Royal Navy for?”

“If the Royal Navy is not there to protect this country from invasion, then, frankly, I can’t see what its purpose is.”

Under the plans, military-crewed inflatable boats deployed from 10 Navy patrol vessels would be used to "come alongside" migrant boats crossing the English Channel. Border Force officers and police stationed onboard would be tasked with arresting people in the boats, and they would then be returned to France or Belgium by Navy personnel or Marines.

The party said returns operations would be conducted by military personnel with Border Force officers on hand in case of "non-compliance", with a Bay Class landing ship providing "detention capacity at sea" for up to 700 people.

Downing Street said when the Royal Navy had primacy for small boat crossings in 2022 there was no reduction during that period and insisted that border patrol officers were the “best suited candidate” to deal with such operations.

The PM’s official spokesman added that Border patrol officers have “significant capabilities and skills that make them the best suited candidate to lead small boats operations in the Channel”, which is why “they’re down almost 50% compared to last year, and why almost 60% of attempted crossings have been stopped since this government came to power”.

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