Backlash as Reform MP Sarah Pochin refuses to rule out Falkland asylum plot
Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin refused to rule out sending asylum seekers to the Falkland Islands or Gibraltar, raising further questions about Nigel Farage's immigration plans
Reform UK have come under fire after one of Nigel Farage's key lieutenants refused to rule out sending asylum seekers to the Falkland Islands or Gibraltar if they get into power.
Sarah Pochin declined to hose down the "deeply troubling" idea after Reform said it could use British overseas territories as a "fallback". Ms Pochin, MP for Runcorn and Helsby, was challenged to say her party was not plotting the controversial move.
Labour MP Luke Charters told a Westminster Hall debate: "As someone who's visited the Falklands and other overseas territories, I find that deeply troubling and I find it deeply unrealistic as well. So perhaps she will hopefully give some assurance when she rises today that Reform UK will be ruling out the use of the Falkland Islands from from that asylum plan."
He later asked Ms Pochin: "Reform UK have mooted the idea of using British overseas territories as part of their asylum processing plans. Would you use this occasion now to rule out any asylum processing either taking place in the Falklands or Gibraltar as part of Reform UK policies?"
Ms Pochin responded: "No, I will not rule out any possible policy." She then refused to take any follow-up questions.
Labour MP Kevin Bonavia went on to brand the UK's new returns agreement with France a "step forward", saying it was: "Unlike using our overseas territories to house people. We had the honorable member for Runcorn not rule out the use of the Falklands, islands that we fought for so hard in 1982 against Argentinian invasions, now apparently being used for dispersion - you didn't rule it out."
Mr Farage has claimed a Reform-led government would deport 600,000 migrants in five years. But he faces serious questions about how he plans to do so, despite saying he was willing to do deals with the Taliban.
Back in 2023 Reform MP Lee Anderson - who was then a senior Tory - told GB News: "I don't think it's fair on the Falkland Islands to be honest. They don't want these illegal migrants going there."
Instead he proposed: "There's a better option we can keep them on British soil if you like we've got the Orkney Islands or some remote Scottish island.
"I know it's a bit parky up there this time of year but if people are genuinely escaping war or persecution then a nice Scottish island with a few outbuildings there would be suitable."