Nigel Farage issues urgent demand to Andy Burnham in PMQs showdown
Nigel Farage issues urgent demand to Andy Burnham in PMQs showdown Reform UK leader asks the Prime Minister about the Channel migrant crisis in the Commons Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 12:37, Wed, Oct 14, 2026 Updated: 12:54, Wed, Oct 14, 2026 PMQs: Nigel Farage warns of 'national security emergency' Nigel Farage called on Andy Burnham to declare a "national security emergency" over the small boats crisis at PMQs . The Reform UK leader raised fears over "young, unidentified males" from Iran making the Channel crossing who may "pose a genuine security threat to our nation". Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Farage said: "MI5 boss Sir Ken McCallum yesterday revealed that there have been 50 arrests in the last year linked to Iran. And I have to say this Government deserves praise for proscribing the IRGC, a very important move. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Nigel Farage asks his question at PMQs (Image: BBC) PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch skewers Andy Burnham with brutal question "But every week there are young, unidentified males from Iran coming into this country, some of whom pose a genuine security threat to our nation. "Is it not time the Government recognises that what is going on in the English Channel is a national security emergency?" The Prime Minister replied: "Obviously we've seen the issues at RAF Fairford recently and they have been dealt with in the right way with the utmost seriousness by the police and security service. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. 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 third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . "The key point is of course we do need to get boat crossings down. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "I hope he would recognise that they are coming down, removals are up. There is much more to be done but there is clearly progress in the right direction." It comes as more than 20,000 people have made the journey from France in rubber dinghies so far this year. The head of MI5 said yesterday that more than 50 people have been arrested in “Iran-linked operations” in the past year in the UK, which has seen a series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in London, and an alleged terror plot by two Iranian men on a synagogue in Manchester. Nigel Farage Andy Burnham Prime Minister’s Questions Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments