Rishi Sunak and Reform UK leader Ben Habib (Image: GETTY)

       Rishi Sunak has ordered to stop murderers and rapists from reaching UK shores by physically stopping boats in the English Channel.

       Ben Habib, deputy leader of Reform UK, was speaking days after telling TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer he would leave people to drown if they jumped out of flimsy dinghies in the narrow waterway.

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Link Sponsored Link

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       HeavyBuys

       Americans Are Freaking Out Over This All-New Hyundai Santa Fe (Take a Look)HeavyBuys Learn More

       Undo

       In a combative defence of his position outlined in a comment piece for Express.co.uk, Mr Habib dismissed Mr Sunak’s Rwanda deportation plan - telling him instead to focus on preventing people from arriving on UK shores illegally in the first place.

       He wrote: “The only policy that will work to stop the boats is to stop the boats – physically – in the Channel.

       Powered By

       00:00/00:50

       10

       10

       Farage set to make a decision about his political career

       Share

       Next

       Stay

       “Any other approach guarantees the boats will keep coming; life will be lost in the Channel; and the abhorrent people traffickers will be rewarded.”

       Sponsored

       Online Shopping Tools

       Online Shopping ToolsAmazon's Worst Nightmare: Thousands Canceling Prime for This Clever Hack

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       READ MORE: Rwanda asylum seeker round-up launched as Sunak warned of mass protests

       Julia Hartley Brewer and Ben Habib on TalkTV (Image: TalkTV)

       Paying the French Government to stop the boats was “not just a mugs game but deeply dangerous”, former Brexit Party MEP Mr Habib warned.

       He explained: “They have twigged that the more people they send our way, the more we are prepared to pay.

       “So they will keep sending people in dinghies – more often than not escorted by the French navy.”

       With Britain’s legal system likely to be bogged down by appeals, Mr Sunak’s legislation - passed earlier this month - would only result in “a handful ever being deported”, Mr Habib claimed.

       A flimsy dinghy off the French coast in the English Channel (Image: Getty)

       He said: “The Rwandan deal gives the false impression the government has a plan. It does not. Even if planes take-off there will be no deterrent. The chances of being deported are low to non-existent. Illegal migrants will run that risk.

       “And so the boats keep coming. And as long as they keep coming there is a guarantee of continued drowning and death in the Channel.”

       Any suggestion that in response to being told to turn around, illegal migrants would simply scupper their boats was ”absurd”, Mr Habib continued, stressing: “They are not suicidal. And, even if they took the extreme action of sinking their own boats, they must not be allowed to enter the UK.

       “They should be provided with a new boat, put in it (handcuffed if necessary) and returned to France. We must not give into the blackmail of self-harm.

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Don't miss...

       We must not give into blackmail by small boat people smugglers, says Ben Habib [INSIGHT]

       B******s to Brexit offer is a crass gimmick, says Ben Habib [ANALYSIS]

       The DUP can no longer be trusted to be guardians of unionism [COMMENT]

       Rishi Sunak in Berlin last week (Image: Getty)

       “To do so would mean the boats keep coming. And if the boats keep coming, there will be continued death in the Channel.”

       There was “ample evidence” a policy of physically stopping the boats worked, with Belgium’s policy of doing so resulting in a 92 percent drop in the number of launches, Mr Habib pointed out.

       He said: “None of the above makes any account of the threat also to the life of British citizens and criminality coming in these boats.

       “There is nothing civilised about the murders, rapes and acid attacks carried out by people who have entered the UK illegally. Criminal elements amongst those entering cannot be controlled because we know nothing about them.

       Trending

       “They cannot be policed at the point of entry because they arrive without papers.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Rwanda will help us take back control of our borders

       11 Comments

       Lords and Labour should hang your heads in shame over today's migrant tragedy

       30 Comments

       French charity boss makes outrageous claim 'people smugglers save hundreds of lives a day'

       Comments

       POLL: Do you think the Rwanda bill will stop migrants coming to the UK? Vote here

       300 Comments

       King Charles fighting hard to be at one event this summer - 'this one is too big to miss'

       24 Comments

       France slammed after allowing flimsy dinghy with 112 on board to cross Channel as five die

       467 Comments

       Shocking number of migrants that made it to UK on day that five died in tragedy revealed

       247 Comments

       BBC Question Time: Tory MP pinpoints two moments to prove Rwanda Bill will work

       47 Comments

       Thugs behind Channel boat deaths ‘claim asylum' - proving what nonsense Rwanda deal is

       Comments

       Rwanda will help us take back control of our borders

       11 Comments

       Lords and Labour should hang your heads in shame over today's migrant tragedy

       30 Comments

       French charity boss makes outrageous claim 'people smugglers save hundreds of lives a day'

       Comments

       POLL: Do you think the Rwanda bill will stop migrants coming to the UK? Vote here

       300 Comments

       King Charles fighting hard to be at one event this summer - 'this one is too big to miss'

       24 Comments

       France slammed after allowing flimsy dinghy with 112 on board to cross Channel as five die

       467 Comments

       Shocking number of migrants that made it to UK on day that five died in tragedy revealed

       247 Comments

       BBC Question Time: Tory MP pinpoints two moments to prove Rwanda Bill will work

       47 Comments

       Thugs behind Channel boat deaths ‘claim asylum' - proving what nonsense Rwanda deal is

       Comments

       Rwanda will help us take back control of our borders

       11 Comments

       Lords and Labour should hang your heads in shame over today's migrant tragedy

       30 Comments

       “Unless the boats are physically stopped there will not just be ongoing death in the Channel, there will be the continued murdering and assault of innocent British citizens. This is not a prejudiced hypothesis, it is a proven fact.”

       By “bending to the will of people smugglers” Britain simply “encouraged their illicit activities”, hence ensuring the continued loss of both migrant and British lives, Mr Habib argued.

       He concluded: “It is essential for civilisation that borders are enforced. Allowing our borders to be assaulted is an assault on life and our civility. It is uncivilised.”

       Related articles Labour Party's stance on defence 'won't keep people safe' in 'dangerous world' Question Time viewers cringe as Tory asks ‘are Rwanda and Congo different' Humza Yousaf and the SNP fanatics have been found out Visit Britain bans non-woke words as UK officers decide 'policeman' is a 'no-no' UK ‘won’t accept Ireland bid to return asylum seekers’ until France does