Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded the Prime Minister to declare a "national emergency" in the English Channel, following the arrest of an Iranian national - who is believed to have arrived in Britain on a small boat.
Following the Labour leader's announcement of a fresh crackdown on legal migration on Monday, Farage called on Sir Keir Starmer to take action on the surging illegal Channel crossings.
Claiming that Reform UK is "alive and kicking", Farage poked fun at Starmer's announcement, telling the House of MPs: "We are at Reform, a party that is alive and kicking.
"I very much enjoyed your speech on Monday - you seem to be learning a very great deal from us."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded Keir Starmer to consider 'national security' following the arrest of an Iranian migrant
PA
Turning to the "matter of national security", Farage urged the Prime Minister to "go further" in his crackdown measures, including measures concerning the Channel.
The Reform UK leader stated: "Can I encourage you, please, to go further as a matter of national security?
"Over the weekend, an illegal immigrant from Iran - who we believe came by boat - was arrested in the north of England on serious charges of terrorism."
He added: "Since the speech on Monday, 1000 young, undocumented young males have crossed the English Channel."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The Reform UK leader called for a 'national emergency' in the Channel
PA
Calling on the Prime Minister to take action, Farage asked: "Does the Prime Minister agree that now is the time to declare the situation in the English Channel as a national security emergency?"
Agreeing with Farage, Starmer admitted that the situation in the Channel is "serious" - before taking aim at the previous Conservative Government for their failure to control illegal migration.
Starmer responded: "The situation is serious. The last government lost control of the borders, and we are taking out the Borders Bill.
"Precisely to his point, the Borders Bill is the first bill to give terrorism-like powers to law enforcement, precisely so that we can get in before the crimes are committed, before people get to this country. That is why this is the most far reaching provision ever for law enforcement to defend and secure our borders."
Starmer agreed that the situation in the English Channel is 'serious'
PA
In a pointed attack on Farage, Starmer concluded: "And that is why it is extraordinary that he, of all people, voted against it.
"And sooner or later, he's going to abstain it."
In another attack on the Reform leader, the Prime Minister resurfaced previous claims by Farage that Jaguar Land Rover "deserves to go bust".
The Prime Minister had said he knew "first-hand" what a trade deal meant for JLR workers, families and the community - but attacked Kemi Badenoch for "saying she's going to rip it up".
Then, he turned his fire on Farage: "The Reform leader... What did he say about JLR? He said JLR deserves to go bust! Shame on him!"
