France's interior ministry has dismissed Nigel Farage's plan to use the Royal Navy to stop Channel crossings as a "violation of French sovereignty" and a breach of maritime law. The Reform UK leader unveiled the 25-page proposal at a rare Westminster press conference, but it was immediately rejected by both Paris and Downing Street.
The plan, dubbed Operation Fortress, would see 10 navy vessels deployed to intercept small boats and return those on board to France and Belgium. However, the French interior ministry stated: "This would be a violation of French sovereignty as well as a violation of maritime law and international law."
Government and charities criticise proposal
Downing Street also dismissed the plan, noting that a similar measure under the previous Conservative government had not reduced crossings. A spokesman said: "The Royal Navy had primacy for small boat crossings under the previous government in 2022. I'd remind you there was no reduction in small boat crossings in that period."
The Refugee Council warned the plan would "inevitably" lead to more deaths. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the charity, said: "The deaths of four people trying to cross the channel last week were a tragic reminder of how dangerous this route is. The last thing anyone should be proposing is anything that would risk more loss of life, as this plan inevitably would."
Farage faces sleaze allegations
Mr Farage's announcement comes as he battles plummeting poll ratings and an investigation into a £5million gift from Thailand-based crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne. The donation, which was not declared, is being probed by Parliament's standards commissioner. Mr Farage denies wrongdoing, insisting that when he accepted the money he had no intention of standing for Parliament.
He also confirmed reports of secret talks about returning as party leader months before the 2024 general election, but said these took place after the gift. He told the press conference: "Overall questions about money could go on for years. I had no intention of returning to politics or as leader of Reform, but in the spring of that year I did talk to Richard Tice about what the liabilities would be if I was to come back to that position."
Political backlash
Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson accused Mr Farage of trying to distract from his "catalogue of scandals". She said: "Farage has desperately tried to distract from his catalogue of scandals. But the embattled Reform leader has run out of road and must come clean with the public. If he had done nothing wrong, he surely would have explained himself by now."
Mr Farage is currently fighting a by-election in Clacton, Essex, where he faces parody candidate Count Binface after other major parties refused to engage. According to More in Common, his personal approval ratings have fallen by 10 points in a fortnight to minus 34%, making him the most unpopular leader of any of the five main parties.
