‘Britain is still being invaded!’ Zia Yusuf tells Andy Burnham to tackle small boat crisis ‘before it's too late’

“Britain is still being invaded. Make no mistake about it,” he said.

The Reform home affairs spokesman also criticised footage that showed an extensive police presence protecting coaches that were en route to transport migrants.

“I’m seeing, for the first time in my lifetime, police escorts being routinely laid down for men who are invading a country.”

Mr Yusuf claimed the situation risked provoking further disorder, arguing: “If you keep doing that across this country, you’re going to get a response.”

Zia Yusuf has warned that 'Britain is still being invaded' as tensions over the small boat crisis boil over

GB NEWS

He specifically called on Mr Burnham and Ms Mahmood to adopt Reform's proposed approach to the Channel.

“I would urge Andy Burnham and Shabana Mahmood to follow our plan and secure our border before it’s too late,” he said.

Mr Yusuf said Reform UK would declare the Channel crisis a “national emergency” and deploy the military to prevent unauthorised vessels reaching Britain.

“We will call this what it is, a national emergency,” he said.

“We will put our military into the English Channel. They will ensure that not a single unauthorised vessel makes it to our shores.”

He pointed to Australia's Operation Sovereign Borders as evidence that such a policy could be implemented.

Mr Yusuf added: “Australia's Prime Minister at the time has endorsed our plan, saying not only can it be done, but it also needs to be done if Britain is still to be a serious country.”

Mr Yusuf also addressed footage which appeared to show a child being left in the water during a Channel crossing, describing it as “heart-wrenching” and “frankly despicable”.

Mr Yusuf challenged Andy Burnham and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to 'follow our plan'

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He said more than 170 people had died making the journey, before arguing that those arriving illegally should be detained and deported.

“The only correct response is to be detained and deported,” he said.

Turning to Reform's proposed agreement with France, Mr Yusuf said the party would seek to return boats if it won the next General Election in cooperation with National Rally frontrunner Jordan Bardella.

However, he insisted the plans would still go ahead if Nigel Farage entered No10 and Mr Bardella's party did not form the next French Government.

He warned that anything to the contrary would result in “a diplomatic incident” between Britain and France.

“We will return those boats to France,” he pledged.

“If we are not willing to have a diplomatic incident with France over the literal sovereignty of our country, then you’d have to explain to me what we’d be willing to have that conversation.”

Mr Yusuf said Reform would instead seek a tougher approach, claiming Nigel Farage would have “the courage and the backbone to do what’s necessary to stand up for our people”.