A Falklands War veteran caused fury when he said small boats carrying migrants to the UK should be shot. Major-General Julian Thompson, 92, a former commander of 3 Commando Brigade, commanding Operation Sutton, the attack at San Carlos Water in May 1982, on the ground. “I would shoot them,” Maj. Gen. Thompson said in a YouTube documentary produced by Steven Edginton. “We could stop them tomorrow, if we really had the guts. I’d shoot them, sorry, but I would,” he added. “We’ve allowed it to happen. We’re wet […] We’ve allowed it to happen.”

“As long as they don’t come around here, I don’t mind what they do,” Maj. Gen. Thompson told the Mail on Sunday. The former Royal Marine added: “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.” He warned that if the Government did not stop them, then there “will be a revolution”. “Our leaders are just wet,” Maj. Gen. Thompson said, also suggested the country is “not Britain any more”.

He added: “It’s a sort of funny conglomeration of people, and in a wet country that allows itself to be pushed around all over the place.” He even went as far to so: “I’m glad I won’t see it; I’ll be dead.”

Maj. Gen. Thompson also called Islam “a flawed religion” in that “women are totally out”. “They can be treated like chattels, and children the same,” he said.

A Home Office spokesman said: “This Government is bearing down on dangerous and illegal crossings. Anyone who seeks to take the law into their own hands is putting lives at risk and will face serious criminal consequences.”

Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said “opening fire on migrant boats would be completely wrong”. He added: “I understand people’s anger at migrant crossings but we cannot shoot at people. There is another way to end this. If the French won’t stop the boats near the shore then the British Government should deport every illegal immigrant within a week of arrival.”

Crossings so far in 2026 have fallen 41% compared to 2025 and are around a fifth lower than in 2024 and 2023, according to Press Association analysis of Home Office figures. But 20,935 people have still made the crossing so far this year.

Hampshire Constabulary said around 350 people left Haslar Road at around 2am on Monday, October 5, after a group of migrants were brought ashore by coastguard, lifeboat and border security staff. The force had imposed conditions under the Public Order Act as well as powers prohibiting the wearing of face coverings.

A total of 12 people were arrested with suspects including 11 men aged between 22 and 59, and one 57-year-old woman. They were arrested on suspicion of offences including assaulting a police officer, drunk and disorderly, failing to comply with conditions put in place on the protest, criminal damage and racially aggravated public order.

Falklands War Veteran Says Channel Migrant Boats Should Be ‘Shot’ – Fury Erupts Over Explosive Comments

A decorated Falklands War veteran has sparked fierce controversy after saying that boats used to smuggle migrants across the English Channel should be “shot”, reigniting Britain’s heated debate over border security, illegal crossings and the limits of force at sea.

Major-General Julian Thompson, 92, who commanded Britain’s 3 Commando Brigade during the 1982 Falklands War, made the remarks during a YouTube documentary interview with journalist Steven Edginton. His comments quickly drew criticism from politicians and prompted renewed discussion about how Britain should respond to dangerous Channel crossings. <Cite refs={[“turn749194search0″,”turn749194search1”]}/>

The episode highlights how the migration debate has become increasingly polarised, with strong opinions emerging not only from politicians but also from military veterans and public figures.

“We could stop them tomorrow”

During the interview, Thompson argued that Britain had failed to take sufficiently robust action against people-smuggling operations.

“We could stop them tomorrow if we really had the guts,” he said before adding: “I’d shoot them.” <Cite refs={[“turn749194search0″,”turn749194search1”]}/>

The comments immediately attracted attention because Thompson is one of Britain’s best-known military figures. During the Falklands War, he led Operation Sutton, the British landing at San Carlos Water that became a decisive stage in the campaign to recapture the islands from Argentina. <Cite refs={[“turn749194search12″,”turn749194search0”]}/>

His military reputation gave additional weight to the debate, even as many critics rejected his proposed approach.

Thompson also expressed frustration about the Government’s handling of illegal migration, arguing that political leaders had failed to prevent dangerous crossings.

The remarks came amid continuing public concern over small boats crossing from northern France to southern England.

Thompson later clarified what he meant

After the interview generated widespread criticism, Thompson clarified that he was referring to the boats rather than deliberately targeting the people aboard them.

According to later reporting, he said his intention was that the vessels themselves should be shot, not the occupants. <Cite refs={[“turn749194search12″,”turn749194search7”]}/>

That clarification became an important part of the discussion because disabling a vessel carrying dozens of people raises obvious safety concerns.

Inflatable boats used for Channel crossings are often overcrowded and unstable. Even relatively small changes in their condition can increase the risk of people entering the water.

Authorities would therefore have to consider whether any attempt to disable such a vessel could endanger those on board.

The distinction between firing at people and firing at boats did not eliminate criticism, but it did change how some people interpreted his remarks.

Politicians reject the proposal

Several politicians responded by arguing that Thompson’s proposal would not be lawful or practical.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said shooting migrant boats would not be permissible, even while continuing to argue for stronger action against illegal crossings. <Cite refs={[“turn749194search12″,”turn749194news13”]}/>

The response reflected a broader distinction within British politics.

Many politicians support tougher border enforcement, faster removals for people without permission to remain in Britain and stronger action against criminal smuggling gangs.

However, using live ammunition against boats carrying civilians raises separate legal and operational questions.

International maritime law places significant emphasis on protecting life at sea, and authorities responding to small boats generally operate under rules designed to avoid creating additional danger.

The disagreement therefore concerns not only immigration policy but also how enforcement should be carried out.

Why the Channel crossings remain so controversial

Small boat crossings have become one of Britain’s most politically contentious issues.

Thousands of people have attempted the journey from France in overcrowded inflatable boats organised by criminal smuggling networks.

The crossings have repeatedly resulted in deaths, injuries and major rescue operations involving the RNLI, Border Force and French authorities.

Governments on both sides of the Channel have invested heavily in enforcement, surveillance and cooperation aimed at disrupting smuggling gangs.

Britain has also negotiated agreements with France designed to strengthen patrols and increase efforts to prevent departures.

Despite those measures, crossings have continued, although annual numbers have fluctuated depending on weather, enforcement and other factors. <Cite refs={[“turn749194news14″,”turn749194search3”]}/>

The debate has intensified because different political groups propose very different responses.

Some argue for stronger interception powers and faster deportations.

Others emphasise international refugee obligations, humanitarian protection and the need to target smuggling networks rather than people making dangerous journeys.

Could boats legally be shot?

The practical and legal obstacles to Thompson’s suggestion are substantial.

Boats carrying migrants are often packed with dozens of people, including children. Many are already unstable before rescue vessels arrive.

Deliberately firing at such boats could create a significant risk of drowning if the vessel deflated or became uncontrollable.

International maritime law also places obligations on authorities to protect people in distress at sea.

Border enforcement operations therefore have to balance immigration control with the duty to preserve life.

Some law-enforcement agencies have used force against vessels in other contexts, such as disabling engines on drug-smuggling boats under specific legal frameworks and operational safeguards. But those operations typically involve different circumstances from overcrowded migrant dinghies carrying civilians. <Cite refs={[“turn749194news18″,”turn749194news17”]}/>

That distinction explains why critics argue that Channel crossings require different operational approaches.

The veteran’s wider warning

Beyond the specific remark about boats, Thompson expressed broader concerns about Britain’s future.

He argued that political leaders had allowed the situation to deteriorate and warned that continued public frustration could have serious political consequences.

His comments echoed arguments made by others who believe stronger border controls are necessary.

However, predictions about future political unrest remain matters of opinion rather than established outcomes.

The wider debate continues to involve questions about asylum policy, border enforcement, cooperation with France, criminal smuggling networks and humanitarian responsibilities.

A debate that continues to divide Britain

Thompson’s intervention demonstrates how emotionally charged the migration debate has become.

Supporters of tougher enforcement argue that dangerous crossings must be stopped and that governments should do more to disrupt smuggling operations before boats reach British waters.

Critics of his proposal argue that firing at overcrowded boats would create unacceptable risks for people already in danger at sea.

The immediate controversy may eventually fade, but the underlying questions remain unresolved.

How should Britain stop dangerous crossings?

How should criminal smuggling networks be dismantled?

And how can border enforcement be strengthened while protecting lives during one of Europe’s most dangerous migration routes?

Those questions continue to shape one of the most contentious political debates in Britain, with Thompson’s comments adding another highly controversial voice to an argument that shows little sign of ending.