Nigel Farage has voiced support for using the British military if the UK were to face rioting on the scale seen in France over the weekend, where at least 2,400 people were arrested after clashes with police.
Riots erupted across French cities on Saturday, with demonstrators setting cars on fire, storming public buildings and engulfing a historic city hall in flames during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. On Sunday evening, small groups set fire to bins, bicycles and other objects, and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities.
Curfews and Military Deployment in France
Curfews were imposed in several cities to prevent further chaos, and Paris returned to calm on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. France's interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, confirmed that the government will deploy some military personnel during further protests expected this coming Saturday.
Speaking to the National Assembly, Nuñez said that personnel from Operation Sentinelle, a group tasked with supporting authorities during major national crises, would be deployed "to replace internal security forces mainly on static guarding duties" so that police officers and gendarmes can be freed up to "carry out public-order missions", as reported by EuroNews.
Farage's Comments on UK Unrest
Mr Farage, the leader of Reform UK, expressed surprise that the military was not involved sooner in France and backed calling up the British military if similar unrest emerged in Britain. Speaking to GB News, the Clacton MP said: "The mystery to me is why Macron did not call the army in more quickly, and I hope if we even begin to descend to those levels that we use the military as quickly as possible."
The Brexit architect also suggested he is fearful of unrest in Britain, saying: "There is now such an intolerance, political intolerance, on the new left of British politics, and by the way, elements of the right, too. We don't respect democracy anymore, or some people don't. And they think direct action and violence is acceptable."
He referenced riots that took place in London in 2011 and said he is "genuinely concerned". However, there is no evidence to suggest Britain is on the verge of riots or widespread unrest akin to the scenes in France, which has a long history of mass protest.
Macron's Response to Violence
In a televised address about the violence, President Emmanuel Macron said: "Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable." He also condemned "unrestrained violence" which he said had been committed by "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals".
