A heated confrontation erupted between Nigel Farage and Geoff Hoon during a GB News broadcast as they debated the government's response to the ongoing Channel migrant crisis.
The exchange became particularly tense when Nigel challenged Hoon's assertion that the Government shares public anger over illegal crossings.
"It's all well and good saying that but it's not working, is it?" Nigel pressed, dismissing Hoon's claim that twelve months was insufficient time to judge the government's performance.
Hoon defended the administration's position, arguing they had inherited a catastrophic situation with minimal asylum claim processing. He insisted the Conservative Government had "deliberately slowed down" processing rates.
GB NEWS
|Nigel Farage told Hoon the 'root' of the migrant crisis
The discussion quickly escalated when Nigel interrupted with "Hang on a second", challenging the notion that faster processing would stem the flow of Channel crossings without increased deportations.
The confrontation occurred against the backdrop of continuing Channel crossings, with fresh arrivals reaching Dover throughout Wednesday afternoon.
Border Force vessels and RNLI lifeboats were observed bringing multiple groups of migrants to shore, with photographs showing people in lifejackets being escorted into the Border Force facility.
Government statistics reveal that 24,538 individuals have completed the perilous journey across the Channel since January, approaching the 25,000 milestone. This figure represents a sharp 47 per cent rise from the 16,712 recorded during the corresponding period in 2024, and a 67 per cent surge compared to 2023's total of 14,732.
GB NEWS
|Nigel Farage was joined by Hoon and Kwasi Kwarteng
The data marks the highest number of arrivals for this point in any year since records commenced in 2018, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing authorities.
Nigel highlighted the stark contrast between current deportation statistics and historical precedents, asserting that merely "two per cent" of Channel arrivals face removal from the UK. He pointed to the previous Labour administration under David Blunkett as Home Secretary, when deportations occurred with "no arguments".
Whilst Hoon maintained that similar deportation rates could be achieved again, he emphasised the need to address the substantial backlog of unprocessed cases first.
He argued that determining asylum claims promptly would enable authorities to remove those without valid grounds to remain.
GB NEWS
|It was another day of chaos on the Channel
The Reform UK leader remained unconvinced, insisting that "the judge won't let you" deport individuals, regardless of processing speeds. Hoon countered that judicial decisions must be respected within the legal framework.
Farage argued that fundamental changes to the legal framework have created insurmountable obstacles to effective immigration control.
"The ECHR has changed and the British judiciary has changed. That's the root of the problem," he stated, suggesting these developments prevent meaningful enforcement action.
He dismissed the Prime Minister's strategy of targeting smuggling networks, comparing it to "declaring war on drugs" and arguing that enormous financial incentives ensure criminal operations will persist.
The Reform UK leader claimed migrants receive accommodation, meals, healthcare and dental services whilst being "able to roam freely", making illegal employment straightforward.
Citing a recent judicial decision involving an African migrant found with child abuse material who avoided imprisonment due to potential conscription by Houthis, Nigel characterised such rulings as "abuse after abuse after abuse of the Human Rights Act of 1988".