The government of Gibraltar has criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party for not ruling out the possibility of sending asylum seekers there. Sarah Pochin sparked controversy by refusing to confirm that the party would not deport migrants to British overseas territories, including the Falkland Islands. When pressed during a debate, Ms. Pochin declined to dismiss the idea, stating she would not exclude any potential policy.
Nigel Farage had previously promised to deport 600,000 individuals from the UK within five years if he comes into power, but the destination for these deportations remains uncertain.
In response, a spokesperson for Gibraltar’s government emphasized that immigration policy falls under Gibraltar’s jurisdiction, and they have a firm stance against processing asylum seekers in the territory. They highlighted the limited space available in Gibraltar as an additional challenge.
During a discussion on asylum hotels at Westminster Hall, Labour MP Luke Charters expressed concerns about using overseas territories for asylum processing. He urged Ms. Pochin to clarify if Reform UK would exclude the Falkland Islands from their asylum plan.
When directly questioned on the matter, Ms. Pochin reiterated that she would not rule out any potential policy and declined further inquiries. Gibraltar, commonly referred to as The Rock, occupies a mere 2.6 square miles in size.