Nigel Farage declares King 'making a mistake' over comment about France

Nigel Farage has warned the King would be "making a mistake" if he were to suggest there are no borders between the UK and France. His Majesty is set to tell French President Emmanuel Macron at a state banquet on Tuesday night that there are "no borders" between the two countries in their shared efforts to solve "complex threats".

Mr Farage made the statement before the King delivered his full speech at Windsor Castle.

The King is set to say that the continued partnership between the UK and France remains vital in facing modern challenges, as "our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions".

"As friends and as allies, we face them together," he will say. "These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time." He will add: "Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world."

But Mr Farage, Reform UK's leader, took to his GB News show to warn this would be wrong.

Speaking on the show, he said: "President Macron of France is here on a state visit. He is the first leader of a European union country to have a state visit since the country voted for Brexit nine years ago. And boy, aren't they rolling out the red carpet for him.

"He went on to speak right next to the robing room in the Palace of Westminster, and later on tonight will go to a big state dinner that, at which the King, we're told, is going to talk about the relationship between our country, the importance of defence cooperation.

"What is particularly interesting is the King is going to say, talking about modern threats in the world, 'no fortress can protect us, because between our countries, we know no borders.'"

He added: "I'm not a Republican; I'm not in the habit of criticising the royal family. Perhaps he's been poorly advised. But actually, we are a fortress. We're an island. It gives us massive advantages, as it has done throughout the whole of history.

"And to say there are no borders. Well, I suppose in some ways he's right, because at the moment, with the dinghies cross the Channel nothing much seems to happen. But I think the King is making a mistake in saying this."

"Macron spoke about migration, he spoke about these threats, he spoke about the problems, and Keir Starmer is pushing very, very hard for a one in, one out deal.

"I don't think for a moment this deal is going to get signed on Thursday; I think the other European Union countries would object to it. France, under EU rules, could not decide this for herself.

"And even if they did, would one in, one out, actually make any sense? And would it even be workable?"

Mr Macron promised to deliver on measures to cut the number of migrants crossing the English Channel ahead of a summit with Sir Keir.

Mr Macron said the issue of irregular migration was a "burden" to both countries.

The UK has pushed for tougher action from the French authorities on the beaches along the Channel coast and also hopes to strike a "one in, one out" deal to send small boat migrants back to the continent.

In exchange, the UK would accept asylum seekers in Europe who have a British link.

Mr Macron's state visit comes a week after the total number of people crossing the Channel in small boats this year passed 20,000.

The total now stands at more than 21,000, a record for this point in the year.