Reform UK and National Rally agree on migrant return deal

Reform UK and France’s National Rally (Rassemblement National) have entered into an agreement aimed at addressing uncontrolled migration. The deal involves returning migrants who arrive in the UK via small boats back across the English Channel.

Reform UK maintains that the agreement was fully approved and signed off by National Rally president Jordan Bardella. This has sparked significant political backlash in France, with officials such as Europe minister Benjamin Haddad criticizing the move as a submission that goes against French sovereignty.

The agreement appears to diverge from long-standing policies held by Marine Le Pen, who has previously expressed opposition to accepting the return of migrants from the UK. While some French media have questioned the accuracy of the translation regarding the scope of the deal, a Reform UK spokesperson stated that the policy was included in both English and French versions, confirming that both parties are fully committed to the arrangement.