The Reform UK leader addressed the Commons during PMQs on Wednesday.

Nigel Farage demanded Keir Starmer declare a “national security emergency” as hundreds of migrants continued to cross the Channel in small boats. The Prime Minister delivered a tough speech on Monday promising to cut immigrartion – but Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pointed out that nearly 1,000 new small boat migrants had already arrived since then.

Challenging Sir Keir during questions to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, Nigel Farage said recent arrests of Iranian men on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act showed how serious the problem was. He said: “We at Reform, a party which is alive and kicking, very much enjoyed your speech on Monday. You seemed to be learnign a great deal from us.

“Can I encourage you please to go further, as a matter of natiional security. Over the weeked an illegal immigrant from Iran who we believe came by boat, was arrested in the north of England on serious charges of terrorism.

“Since the speech on Monday, 1,000 undocumented young males have crossed the English Channel. Does the Prime Minister agree now is the time to delcare the situation in the English channel as a national security emergency?”

The Prime Minister said: “The situation is serious. The last government lost control of the borders.”

He said Labour’s new laws would give border security law enforcement powers similar to anti-terror powers, in order to cut illegal immigration. Sir Keir criticised Mr Farage for opposing Labour’s border laws, saying: “It is extraordinary that he of all people voted against it.”