Reform MP sparks furious row with World War Two jibe at France after Paris rejects party's small boats plan

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 10:13, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 10:14, 4 August 2026 A Reform MP has sparked a furious row by making a World War Two jibe at France. Sarah Pochin, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, issued the swipe after Paris rejected her party's bid to use the Royal Navy to return migrants across the Channel. The French government said the 'Operation Fortress' plan represented 'a violation of French sovereignty as well as a violation of maritime law and international law'. In response, Ms Pochin posted on X: 'Pity the French did not show the same resolve in defending their sovereignty in June 1940.' Her comment prompted outrage from Labour MPs, as well as a former Downing Street chief of staff. Sam Rushworth, the Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, said: 'This is a disgusting comment that betrays our allies - the brave French resistance fighters who gave their lives, including facilitating the British retreat at Dunkirk. 'Comments like this show why Reform is completely unfit to govern.' And Josh Fenton-Glynn, the Labour MP for Calder Valley, posted: 'Over 200,000 French military personnel died fighting the Nazis in World War II 90,000 of whom died in 1940. Sometimes it’s not clear if this ignorance is performative or actual.' Sarah Pochin, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, issued the swipe after Paris rejected her party's bid to use the Royal Navy to return migrants across the Channel Other X users added a note to give 'context' to Ms Pochin's social media post, along with a link to the Wikipedia page on the Battle of France Gavin Barwell, who was Theresa May's top adviser when she was PM, also told Ms Pochin: 'Nearly 100,000 Frenchmen died defending their country in 1940. 'But you wouldn't know that because you are the apotheosis of the politics of ignorance.' Other X users also added a note to give 'context' to Ms Pochin's social media post, along with a link to the Wikipedia page on the Battle of France. It read: 'About 90,000–100,000 French soldiers were killed during the Battle of France (May–June 1940), when Germany invaded. Around 92,000 is the figure most commonly cited.' Reform leader Nigel Farage on Monday unveiled his party's 'Operation Fortress' plan to deploy the Royal Navy to return Channel migrants. Under the 'return and rescue' proposal, the Royal Navy would intercept every vessel carrying illegal migrants to the UK and return all those on board to their country of departure. Mr Farage compared the plan to how Australia has previously used military vessels to tow migrant boats back to Indonesia. He also insisted there would be 'big upsides' to France, despite suggestions that Paris would simply refuse to accept migrants returned to the country's northern shores. The French government hit back at Reform's plans later on Monday. A spokesman for the French interior ministry said in a statement: 'This would be a violation of French sovereignty as well as a violation of maritime law and international law. 'Separately, as part of the measures put in place with the UK and the arrangements deployed at the local level, the interior ministry states that the number of crossings is down in 2026.'