Ex-Navy Officer Questions Reform UK's Plan to Use Military for Migrant Boats

Cmdr Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Naval officer, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that using a "billion-pound warship" for such a task is not its intended purpose and that naval vessels are better utilized for countering military threats. He suggested that actual ferries would be more appropriate for transporting people and that the navy does not have sufficient spare ships given existing operational commitments.

Sharpe also drew parallels to a similar plan put forth by the Conservative government four years prior, during which migrant crossings nearly doubled and the navy was reportedly used as a "taxi service." He highlighted the significant hurdle of securing agreement from French authorities to allow intercepted individuals to disembark on French shores.

Reform UK's spokesperson for home affairs, Zia Yusuf, defended the proposal, stating that if France disagreed with the plan, it could lead to an "argument." Yusuf claimed the party had sought legal advice confirming the plan's lawfulness, asserting it would define those crossing irregularly as being in distress at sea, thus obligating a rescue. He also stated that French authorities would be told to process asylum claims, as France is considered a safe country, though he did not elaborate on Reform's stance if France reciprocated this position.

Political opponents, including Labour, have accused Reform UK of using the proposal as a distraction from financial scandals involving its leader, Nigel Farage, particularly a reported £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire. Labour asserted that "anger and easy answers" are insufficient for addressing the complex issue of small boat crossings, highlighting their own actions which they claim have led to significant numbers of attempted crossings being stopped and individuals being removed.