Nigel Farage has issued a damning three-word response to Sir Keir Starmer's migrant deal with France.
The Reform UK leader dismissed French claims of intercepting Channel migrants, asserting that despite their rhetoric, French authorities merely observe asylum seekers attempting to reach Britain before the French navy "escorts" them to the median line.
He criticised the "ludicrous" practice of British and French vessels arranging to hand migrants over in the middle of the Channel.
The Daily Express obtained a recording of French officials discussing handing out lifejackets to migrants.
Nigel Farage issued a three word response to Sir Keir Starmer's migrant deal with France
PAThey "engaged" with a dinghy and counted how many had buoyancy aids before allowing the vessel to continue towards British waters.
Farage expressed disbelief, stating: “I just don’t believe it. I just don’t believe it. We have given France half a billion quid and now the Government are actually giving out lifejackets.”
He also criticised the Government's failure to address the situation, noting that French authorities are "standing there watching them."
When informed that UK sources hope interceptions could begin by the end of May, Farage responded with the three words: "It won’t happen."
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He expressed scepticism about French promises to stop Channel crossings, stating, "No, no, no, no. The French navy escort the boats to a 12-mile line. You could listen to them talking on the radios, and Border Force are happy to take them. It’s ludicrous.”
Farage also criticised Sir Keir Starmer, stating that the UK will "oversee a record number of illegals coming to the UK" under his leadership.
More than 700 migrants are thought to have crossed the Channel on Tuesday, breaking the record for the number of arrivals in a single day this year.
Farage noted that Channel crossings this year are over 40 per cent higher than last year, and there are no signs of anyone being deported.
More than 700 migrants are thought to have crossed the Channel on Tuesday, breaking the record for the number of arrivals in a single day this year
PAFarage emphasied that the issue is about sovereignty, stating that if Reform UK is in Government, the UK will leave the European Convention on Human Rights, repeal the Human Rights Act, and stop the judiciary from using it to prevent deportations.
France is providing migrants with lifejackets as the small boats crisis worsens.
A recording from a Border Force vessel revealed that the French navy ship had given out only 10 lifejackets to a dinghy carrying 60 people, including "at least five children and six women."
The French confirmed it had "engaged" with the small boat but stated there were no search and rescue operations linked to it.
The cumulative number of arrivals by small boats in 2025 now stands at a provisional total of 8,888, which is 42 per cent higher than at the same point last year.
