Former navy officer criticises Reform plan to use military to stop small boats
Summary
A former Royal Navy officer said the Reform UK party’s plan to use the military to stop small boats carrying migrants across the Channel lacks practical details. Reform wants the navy to pick up migrants at sea and return them to France, but experts and politicians question whether this would work or be allowed by France.Key Facts
- Reform UK proposes using the navy to stop small boats carrying migrants from France to the UK.
- Retired Royal Naval Commander Tom Sharpe says military ships are better used for actual defense tasks, not migrant transport.
- Sharpe notes the navy already has limited resources involved in current missions.
- Similar plans were proposed by the Conservative government four years ago but did not reduce crossings.
- Labour accuses Reform UK of using the plan to distract from scandals involving its leader, Nigel Farage.
- There are doubts France would allow the UK navy to bring migrants back to their shores.
- Reform claims its plan follows international law and treats migrants as people rescued at sea needing help.
- Reform says France must process asylum claims since it is a safe country, but it is unclear what happens if France refuses.
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