Reform claims Royal Marines could use lethal force on migrant boats

Summarised from 6 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 10:38 · Archive

Reform UK's Robert Jenrick said the Royal Marines would be authorised to use lethal force against migrant boats in the Channel, triggering accusations of illegality.

Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesperson and former Conservative immigration minister, told TalkTV on Monday that a Reform government would deploy the Royal Marines to patrol the Channel with authorisation to use lethal force against migrant boats. He suggested this would resolve the small boats crisis within days, though he stated his preferred approach would be picking migrants up and returning them to France. He claimed Reform UK was the only political party with the courage to make such proposals.

Reform's home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf had previously made similar claims, stating a Reform government would deploy Royal Marines with orders to prevent migrants reaching shore, with authorisation to use lethal force if people smugglers resisted. When challenged on BBC Breakfast, Yusuf later narrowed the scope, saying lethal force would be used only in extremely limited circumstances where necessary to protect innocent life. He cited intelligence suggesting some boats may carry convicted terrorists or armed criminals, though presented no evidence.

The comments provoked immediate political backlash. Defence Readiness Minister Luke Pollard condemned the suggestion as illegal and disgusting, pointing out that British armed forces cannot accept orders to shoot unarmed civilians. He accused Reform of attempting to distract from internal party difficulties, describing the proposal as abhorrent to British military and national values. Lord Alf Dubs called the remarks horrific, emphasising Britain's tradition of offering sanctuary to people fleeing persecution.

Hours after Jenrick's remarks, Reform leader Nigel Farage walked back the policy, telling LBC radio that Jenrick was being utterly misconstrued. Farage insisted a Reform government would not routinely authorise lethal force, stating it would only be used if soldiers wearing British military uniform were fired upon. He described migrants as organised criminal operations, saying the plan was to pick people up and return them to France, with force meeting force only if resistance occurred. The apparent contradiction between Jenrick's initial claims and Farage's subsequent clarification highlighted divisions within Reform's messaging on the policy.

How it is being reported

• Farage defends plan for ‘lethal force’ against Channel migrantsDefence Minister Luke Pollard brands Reform UK's proposals “disgusting and illegal."Politico Europe · 13 Oct, 10:42
• Nigel Farage rows back on Jenrick’s claim that Reform would let Navy use ‘lethal force’ against migrantsMr Jenrick had earlier on Monday claimed that a Reform government would let the Royal Marines use ‘lethal force’ against migrants crossing the Channel without permissionThe Independent · 13 Oct, 10:25
• Farage denies Reform would let troops shoot small boats after Jenrick’s ‘lethal force’ claimParty leader says Jenrick’s comments ‘misconstrued’, after MP said Royal Marines would be allowed to fire at those on boats UK politics live – latest updates Nigel Farage has denied that a Reform UK government would authorise lethal force against migrant crossings in the Channel, hours after one of his MPs said the Royal Marines should be permitted to fire on the boats. Robert Jenrick, a Reform UK MP who defected from the Conservatives, had told TalkTV that the party would deploy the Royal Marines to take boats back to France. Continue reading...The Guardian · 13 Oct, 09:56
• Zia Yusuf Rows Back On Incendiary Promise To Use 'Lethal Force' On Small BoatsZia Yusuf speaking to BBC Breakfast Zia Yusuf has watered down Reform UK’s promise to use “lethal force” on migrants trying to reach Britain via small boats in the English Channel. The party’s home affairs spokesperson claimed last week: “A Reform government will immediately deploy His Majesty’s Royal Marines with the following orders: DO NOT LET A SINGLE INVADER REACH OUR SHORES. “If people smugglers resist , our boys will be authorised to use lethal force. We will take our country back.” Reform’s economy spokesperson Robert Jenrick repeated the claims on Monday, saying letting the Royal…HuffPost UK · 13 Oct, 09:34
• 'Illegal and disgusting:' Defence minister slams Robert Jenrick's suggestion Royal Navy should shoot migrant boats in ChannelDefence Minister Luke Pollard described the remarks as ‘illegal and disgusting’Evening Standard · 13 Oct, 08:53
• Minister brands Robert Jenrick's 'lethal force' on migrants comment 'disgusting and illegal'Defence Readiness Minister Luke Pollard accused Reform UK of trying to distract from the 'sleaze and scandal' engulfing the party, and claimed the policy went against British valuesThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 08:27
• 'Robert Jenrick’s Channel threats cross a shameful line Britain must never accept'Robert Jenrick, who quit the Tories for Reform this year, urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to "send the Royal Navy in to the Channel and shut down the entire asylum farce"The Mirror · 12 Oct, 22:00
• Reform's 'lethal force' on small boats targets desperate human livesROS WYNNE-JONES: Refugees are real people facing life-and-death choices. Political calls from Reform's Robert Jenrick for "lethal force" ignore the horrific realities driving families across the ChannelThe Mirror · 12 Oct, 18:55
• Outrage as Reform's Robert Jenrick says navy should be allowed to use 'lethal force' in ChannelReform MP Robert Jenrick said that if Nigel Farage becomes PM, marines will be able to use 'lethal force' to stop small boats - a statement branded 'horrific' by Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, who fled the Nazis as a childThe Mirror · 12 Oct, 15:32

In this story: Robert Jenrick · Reform UK · Nigel Farage · Luke Pollard · Lord Alf Dubs · Zia Yusuf · English Channel · France

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