Nigel Farage has denied that a Reform UK government would authorise the routine use of lethal force against people crossing the English Channel in small boats, following remarks by party MP Robert Jenrick suggesting that Royal Marines could be allowed to fire on such vessels.

Jenrick, who defected from the Conservative Party, told TalkTV that deploying the marines to intercept the boats would include authorising lethal force if necessary. “What we are going to do, and we’re the only political party that has the courage to say this, is deploy the Royal Marines into the Channel. If they need to use lethal force, then they’ll be able to do so,” he said. He added that this approach could end the crossings “in just a few days” but emphasised that it was not the preferred outcome, stating a desire to return individuals to France in a “sensible and reasonable way.”

Hours later, Farage clarified on LBC that Jenrick had been misunderstood. He stated that force would only be used in response if troops were fired upon, saying, “Anybody wearing British military uniform who gets fired at has the right to respond.” Farage described the situation as involving “very serious international criminal organisations” and said a Reform UK government would focus on intercepting boats and returning migrants to France. He acknowledged that force could initially be met but insisted it would be proportional and aimed at ending crossings within weeks.

The party’s chairman, Zia Yusuf, who himself has previously advocated for lethal force in extreme circumstances, commented that such measures would only apply “in extremely limited circumstances where it is necessary to protect innocent life.” He referred to the possibility of armed individuals on boats posing a threat that might justify a forceful response.

However, Yusuf also expressed scepticism toward Jenrick and former Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman, both now part of Reform UK, questioning their commitment to the party’s policies. When asked whether he still regarded them as “quislings” due to their roles in the previous Conservative government, Yusuf said the former cabinet had failed to keep promises on immigration and needed to take responsibility. He furthermore rejected Braverman’s suggestion that her ethnic background made her less English, invoking well-known English sports figures of diverse heritage to illustrate his point.

The claims about the use of lethal force drew condemnation from Labour’s defence minister Luke Pollard, who described the proposals as “disgusting and illegal.” Pollard said the armed forces would not follow illegal orders and emphasised that military action against unarmed civilians was both unlawful and against British values. He criticised the comments as political distraction amid Reform UK’s internal difficulties.

Meanwhile, recent polling showed Reform UK falling to third place behind Labour and the Conservatives, boosting the standing of the Labour leader Keir Badencoh, who has seen her highest approval ratings since taking office. The controversy over the Channel crossings and internal party divisions mark a challenging period ahead for Reform UK as it seeks to establish itself on the political stage.