France says Reform UK plan to stop migrant boats illegal

France has denounced a controversial proposal by the UK’s Reform UK party to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept and repatriate migrants arriving in the English Channel, calling the plan illegal and a violation of both French sovereignty and international law. The move, outlined by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, would involve the largest military operation in the channel since World War II, according to the party’s claims. The proposal follows a surge in irregular migration, particularly after tens of thousands of migrants entered Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta from Morocco, reigniting tensions over border control across Europe. Reform UK announced its plan during a press conference, with Farage asserting that humanitarian efforts should not be constrained by legal boundaries. He argued that returning migrants to France would protect British interests, even if it meant defying French President Emmanuel Macron’s stance. However, the French interior ministry dismissed the plan as unlawful, stating it would undermine French sovereignty and contravene maritime and international law. The proposal remains hypothetical, as Reform UK must first secure victory in the upcoming 2029 general election before it could be implemented. The timing of the announcement coincides with internal turmoil within Reform UK. The party, once a leading force in national polls, has recently faced a decline in support, exacerbated by a series of scandals and ongoing investigations. Parliament’s standards commissioner has launched an inquiry into allegations that the party failed to disclose financial interests, targeting deputy leader Richard Tice. This follows earlier probes into Farage himself, which were paused after he resigned as a member of parliament to run in a by-election. Meanwhile, London police have begun examining donations made to Reform UK ahead of the 2024 elections, following a referral from the Electoral Commission. Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, defended the plan, insisting that any French resistance to the operation would constitute a “crime against humanity.” He claimed that the Royal Marines would ensure safe landings for migrants on the shores they originally departed from, despite the potential diplomatic fallout. However, some experts remain skeptical. Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe warned that deploying the navy to repatriate migrants might not address the root causes of the crisis. “There’s a lot the navy can do,” he said, “but the idea of ferrying people back to France, against their will, just doesn’t add up.” The current Conservative government, under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has taken a different approach. Since assuming office in 2024, the Labour Party has focused on dismantling networks that facilitate cross-channel travel, including through enhanced collaboration with France. In April, London and Paris signed a new three-year agreement aimed at reducing migrant crossings, with the UK pledging up to €766 million to bolster French law enforcement capabilities. The British government claims the strategy is yielding results, citing a nearly 42% drop in small boat arrivals in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, recent data indicates a resurgence, with a daily record of 752 arrivals recorded on 29 July. As the political landscape continues to shift, the debate over migration management remains contentious. With Reform UK facing internal challenges and the Labour government pursuing alternative strategies, the future of border security policies in the UK and France remains uncertain. For now, the proposed military intervention remains a theoretical option, pending the outcome of the 2029 election and further developments in the ongoing political and legal inquiries.