Falklands veteran Julian Thompson, 92, says Channel migrant boats should be shot

Right · 2Major-General Julian Thompson, 92, a former commander of 3 Commando Brigade who led British ground forces in the Falklands War, said in a documentary that he would shoot the boats carrying migrants across the English Channel. 1 2 Right · 1The documentary on mass immigration was made by journalist Steven Edginton for his YouTube channel and broadcast at the weekend. Thompson said: "We could stop them tomorrow if we really had the guts. I'd shoot them, sorry, but I would." 1 Right · 2GB News reports that when contacted, Thompson clarified that the gunfire should be aimed at the boats rather than the people aboard. The Daily Express does not include this clarification. 1 2

Right · 2Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Thompson said: "As long as they don't come around here, I don't mind what they do." He also said: "They come over here and rape our girls. One machine-gun blast is all it would take... then they would get the message. I just want them to bugger off." 1 2 Right · 2Thompson warned that if the Government did not stop the crossings there would be "a revolution" and called political leaders "wet". He also said "It's not Britain any more" and "I'm glad I won't see it, I'll be dead." 1 2 Right · 2He also described Islam as "a flawed religion" in which women "can be treated like chattels, and children the same". 1 2

Right · 2A Home Office spokesman said the Government "is bearing down on dangerous and illegal crossings" and that anyone who takes the law into their own hands "is putting lives at risk and will face serious criminal consequences". 1 2 Right · 2Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, a Conservative, said opening fire on migrant boats "would be completely wrong" and that "we cannot shoot at people". He said that if France will not intercept boats near the shore, Britain should deport every illegal arrival within a week. 2 1 Right · 1GB News adds that Philp said this would require leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, which he said the Labour Government was too feeble to do. 1

Right · 2Both outlets say 20,935 people have crossed by small boat so far in 2026. GB News calls this a 40 per cent fall on the same period last year, while the Express, citing Press Association analysis of Home Office figures, gives 41%. 1 2 Right · 1GB News also reports that 1,739 people crossed between 1 and 7 October, and that the average number aboard each boat this month has risen to 76. 1 Right · 1The Express adds a report from Hampshire Constabulary on a protest at Haslar Road on 5 October, after migrants were brought ashore, in which 12 people were arrested on suspicion of offences including assaulting a police officer and racially aggravated public order. 2