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Farage backtracks as Jenrick's 'lethal force' claim splits Reform UK

Reform leader denies authorizing troops to shoot migrants after MP Robert Jenrick's controversial statement triggers backlash from government and party chair.

newest coverage 7h agosummary written 14h ago8 pieces19 likes & upvotes NewswiresRedditGoogle NewsMastodon

What to know

  • Reform UK fractured publicly over lethal force against migrants: Jenrick endorsed it; Farage immediately denied authorizing it; chair Yusuf walked back previous promises.
  • The party is in internal turmoil with Farage distancing himself from Conservative defectors like Jenrick and Yusuf criticizing the defections.
  • Government and opposition criticized the proposal as illegal, inhumane, and a distraction from Reform's internal scandals.
  • Reform polled in third place on the day of the row, behind Conservatives and Labour.
most voices

The lethal force proposal is inhumane and reveals Reform's true position, regardless of Farage's backtrack.

  • “How is it possible that such inhumane ideas are earnestly discussed? Where have we ended up? What is next?”

    MartMichaelis@mastodonapp.uk · Mastodon ↗

Nigel FarageNigel Farage Reform UK leaderRobert JenrickRobert Jenrick Reform UK MP, defected from ConservativesZia YusufZia Yusuf Reform UK chairLuke PollardLuke Pollard UK Defence Minister

Farage backtracks as Jenrick's 'lethal force' claim splits Reform UK
theguardian.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlespostscomments

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8 AM4 PMtodaynow · 10:33 AM ET
  1. 1

    Zia Yusuf also walks back lethal force comments, signals distrust of Conservative defectors

    Reform chair Zia Yusuf, who had previously promised lethal force would be used against migrants, rowed back on BBC Breakfast, saying it would only be used "in extremely limited circumstances where it is necessary to protect innocent life." He also criticized other former Conservatives in the party, including Jenrick.

    “In the event there are people on those boats with weapons, with firearms, who think nothing of shedding inno…”
    — Zia Yusuf
    1. 2 outlets Nigel Farage rows back on Jenrick’s claim that Reform would let Navy use ‘lethal force’ against migrants

      first by The Independent, 1d ago · also Guardian

      1 more headline
    • MartMichaelis@mastodonapp.uk

      How is it possible that such inhumane ideas are earnestly discussed? Where have we ended up? What is next? # humanity # HumanRights # moral # ethics https://www. theguardian.com/politics/2026/ oct/13/nigel-farage-reform-robert-jenrick-small-boats-royal-marines-lethal-force

      MartMichaelis@mastodonapp.ukMastodon15h ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch

    • Farage doesn't find it despicable, he just doesn't want it said out loud... Or he lets minions say it out loud to test the water.

      PJBuzzr/ukpolitics22h agoview on r/ukpolitics ↗
    all of them →
  2. background

    Defence minister Pollard calls comments 'disgusting and illegal' — Luke Pollard condemned the proposals on Times Radio, stating that armed forces cannot accept illegal orders and that Britain does not shoot unarmed civilians. He suggested the comments were a distraction from Reform's internal problems.

  3. background

    Farage denies lethal force authorization, says Jenrick was 'utterly misconstrued' — Speaking on LBC radio, Farage overruled Jenrick's comments, saying force would only be used if soldiers were fired upon. He reframed Jenrick's statement as referring to self-defence rights and said the plan was to pick up migrants and take them back to France.

  4. background

    Jenrick claims Reform would deploy Royal Marines with lethal force authorization — Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick told TalkTV that the party would deploy Royal Marines into the Channel and said "If they need to use lethal force, then they'll be able to do so." He claimed this was the only party prepared to use such force against small boat crossings.

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