France has hit out at a Reform UK plan to return migrant boats using the Navy, saying the proposals would violate its sovereignty and breach international law. Nigel Farage's party announced that if it was in power it would intercept boats crossing the English Channel and return migrants to French ports, even if France disagreed. Responding to the French government, a Reform spokesperson said: "We will always stand up for British interests and protect our people, whether Emmanuel Macron likes it or not." The spokesperson added: "Humanitarian missions do not violate maritime or international law." Speaking alongside him, Farage played down the prospect of a diplomatic confrontation with the French, claiming that attitudes in France towards the idea were "softening".