The French government has rejected a proposal from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept asylum seekers crossing the English Channel and return them to French beaches, branding the plan a violation of French sovereignty and international law.

Unveiled in a London press conference on August 3, Reform UK’s Operation Fortress outlines a plan to use military vessels and personnel from the Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, and Army to patrol the Channel. The intention is to board migrant boats, carry out medical checks, and return individuals either to France or Belgium. Farage described the plan as a humanitarian mission designed to save lives at sea and relieve coastal communities of migrant-related pressures. “These big mega-dinghies, with 90 to 100 people on board, it is astonishing we have not had a mass casualty event for some time,” he said. He argued the operation would comply with international maritime law and the European Convention on Human Rights, emphasizing the campaign’s confidence in its legality.

Farage and Reform UK stated the plan does not involve “pushbacks”—the practice of towing or barging boats away from British waters—but rather the physical transport of migrants back to the territory from which they departed. The party said that if the French government refuses cooperation, Royal Marines would nonetheless disembark migrants on French soil, asserting that France would be unable to prevent such operations.

However, the French Interior Ministry dismissed the proposal, saying it would infringe on France’s sovereignty and violate both maritime law and international agreements. A spokesperson pointed out that the number of Channel crossings had decreased in 2026, though no further details were provided. The government of France regards the plan as unlawful and expressed opposition to unilateral actions in the Channel.

Critics in the UK also questioned the feasibility of the plan. Conservative MP Chris Philp called it a “gimmick,” highlighting concerns over the lack of clarity on funding and the challenge of returning migrants without French cooperation. Additionally, former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe voiced skepticism about diverting naval resources, questioning whether vessels currently deployed globally would be recalled for such missions and the potential impact on other strategic responsibilities.

Reform UK has proposed establishing a joint military command to coordinate the operation, an approach they claim would enhance surveillance and response capabilities in the Channel. Despite opposition, Farage emphasized his commitment to prioritizing the interests of British citizens while presenting the plan as a pragmatic response to ongoing migration challenges. The debate underscores the complex legal and diplomatic issues surrounding Channel crossings and migrant returns between the UK and France.