Richard Tice has issued a grave warning over the future of the migrant crisis as thousands continue to arrive in the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The GB News presenter called for international leadership on the issue, warning the crisis will only be exacerbated should a lack of action be taken.
Hundreds of police officers have arrived at the island’s airport in the last 24 hours in a bid to tackle the surging number of arrivals.
Tice accused EU nations of “effectively abandoning” Italy by “rapidly erecting borders” in a fiery rant on GB News.
Richard Tice issues stark warning over the migrant crisis
PA / GB NEWS
“If these numbers continue, we are facing serious, serious issues”, he said.
“We know of course that many of those are arriving, coming over the Mediterranean, with the United Kingdom in their sights.
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“They want to come here, they think that we have the most generous, welcoming accommodation.
“The truth is not only do they think that, but they’re probably right.”
Italy is in a squabble to contain the crisis, with increased pressure on prime minister Giorgia Meloni.
The 46-year-old has admitted she “hoped for better” on controlling immigration, while lashing out at Germany’s “astonishing” decision to pay charities for refugee rescues.
Migrants on LampedusaReutersItalian political commentator Paola Diana said the number of African migrants travelling to the island has left natives “shocked”, and they have dubbed the influx an “invasion” as a result.
Diana said on GB News: “The people of Italy, they are shocked, and they consider it an invasion. Let's talk it with the right name, and it's not sustainable.
“We can't think that Italy can sustain these numbers of illegal migrants coming from Africa.
“And we have to remember people who think that we should, that these are not engineers or very high skilled people like they were coming from Syria at the time.
“Unfortunately, they're very poor people and they need everything, and Italy cannot sustain these numbers.”
Reform Party leader Tice added he is concerned about the future of immigration into the UK, saying “more will come”.
“This story is not going away”, he said.
“Until someone has the courage, the leadership, the decisive direction to do that, the situation will get worse and worse and more and more will come.”