Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson clashes with GMB presenters over Royal Navy migrant plan

Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins faced off with Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson on Good Morning Britain Wednesday, after the French government rejected the party's controversial plan to tackle the small boats crisis.

The Policy: "Operation Fortress"

Nigel Farage's Reform UK has proposed using the Royal Navy to intercept migrant vessels crossing the English Channel as part of "Operation Fortress," should the party enter government. The plan would involve returning asylum seekers to their point of origin in what Reform describes as "the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two."

French Government Rejection

The French government responded this week by stating that the right-wing party's proposal to turn back migrants would constitute a "violation" of French sovereignty, as well as a breach of maritime and international law.

The GMB Exchange

Anderson refused to accept the French rejection, telling the programme:

"Oh it's illegal to save lives in the English Channel? I think we're not going to agree on this, guys. It's not been tested yet. It's not been tried. How do you know it won't work?"

Co-host Charlotte Hawkins countered: "It's not for us to say whether it will work or not. We're just telling you what the French government are saying and you would not be able to do it without the French government –"

Anderson interrupted: "I'm telling you what Reform policy is –"

Hawkins replied: "You don't have the agreement of the French government. It's not workable."

Anderson insisted: "It will work and it will save lives."

"Without the agreement of the French government, it won't work," Hawkins said, growing increasingly exasperated.

Anderson repeated that the policy would "100%" save lives.

Co-host Richard Madeley attempted to de-escalate: "I don't think we can go much further on this... It's not up to us to criticise your policy, it may be a wonderful policy –"

Anderson cut in: "You are criticising it!"

Madeley laughed in disbelief as Hawkins said they were merely pointing out a major flaw preventing the plan from operating.

"That's criticism! That's criticism. It's not a fact. It's not a fact, it's not been tried yet," the Reform chair insisted.

Anderson argued it was a "violation of our sovereignty" for migrants to cross the English Channel and then commit "awful crimes" in the UK.

"Things need to be done, but if the French won't agree to it, then unfortunately it's not a workable policy," Hawkins responded.

Expert Criticism

Reform's plans have also drawn sharp criticism from military experts. Former Royal Navy officer John Foreman described the proposal as a "crock of shit."

Former Navy commander Tom Sharpe offered a similar assessment, telling the BBC:

"A billion pound warship that's configured for anti-air warfare or anti-submarine warfare, which are both threats to the UK, is not best used ferrying people around. You're better off using an actual ferry."

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