REFORM UK have been accused of a “racist, dishonest and deliberately dehumanising” attempt to exploit the fatal migration crisis unfolding in Spanish Africa.
Mark Simpson, an MSP for the north east of Scotland, called for a state of emergency to be declared in Britain and said the army and navy should be “pre-emptively” deployed to England’s south coast as immigrants crossed en masse into a Spanish enclave in Morocco.
Nearly 20 people have been killed so far as an estimated 49,000 migrants swept into Ceuta.
Thomas Kerr, the party’s deputy leader in Scotland who has this week found himself this week embroiled in a furious row for allegedly spreading “hatred” against migrants, branded events in north Africa an “invasion”.
Simpson said: “What we have seen in Spain should concern us all. If immediate action is not taken a large proportion of these fighting age men will end up crossing the Channel.
“It’s time to pre-emptively deploy the navy and army to the south coast and declare a state of emergency. For what it’s worth I’ll be writing to the Westminster government, doing nothing is not an option.”
Kerr added: “The world has just witnessed thousands of migrants swarm Spain. There was no women or children fleeing war in sight despite what they tell you.
“This is an invasion of strangers, plain and simple. The left need to wake up to what's happening before it's too late.”
The Scottish Greens accused Kerr of seeking to create an environment where “cruelty, violence and collective punishment against our fellow human beings become easier to justify”.
Kate Nevens, the party’s international development spokesperson, told The National: “What is unfolding in North Africa is shocking and horrifying. People have lost their lives, children are among those caught in the chaos and many more have been placed in unimaginable danger.
“We should all be responding to this with humanity, prioritising safety and preventing further deaths. I’m disappointed, if not surprised, to see Reform UK is instead rushing to exploit this tragedy.
“Thomas Kerr’s decision to describe this as an ‘invasion of strangers’ is racist, dishonest and deliberately dehumanising. That kind of language has consequences.
“When politicians talk about people as a swarm, an invasion, or a military threat, they are encouraging the public to stop seeing real people with families and basic rights. It deliberately fosters an environment where cruelty, violence and collective punishment against our fellow human beings become easier to justify.”
She added that Kerr’s claim there were “no women or children” was wrong. Spanish officials have estimated around 7000 of those involved were children and the BBC’s correspondents in the region reported women, children and even babies had been seen making the crossing.
Nevens said: “Kerr’s false claims that there were no women or children involved is contradicted by the reporting from Ceuta.
“Reform UK’s grasp of geography also appears to be every bit as poor as its grasp of basic human decency. Ceuta is not on mainland Spain. It is a Spanish territory on the north coast of Africa – nowhere near the English Channel Reform is claiming people are about to cross.”
Events in Ceuta have produced chaotic scenes as people from Morocco appeared to overwhelm the territory’s border controls.
The city is a Spanish enclave on the north western tip of the north African nation and has been a long-time focal point for migrants trying to reach Europe.
Reports suggest that Moroccan border guards failed to stop the massive crowds from entering the Spanish territory, with the BBC saying it was unclear where the country’s forces where as migrants advanced to the land border.
Some 18 people have died trying to reach Ceuta and Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, called the situation a “serious humanitarian crisis”, according to the Associated Press (AP) news agency.
He added that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and on pavements, while others roamed the streets aimlessly.
People are still entering. The reinforcements that have arrived are only helping the injured and other humanitarian efforts,” he said. “It’s chaotic.”
Among the 18 who died, many drowned, Sbihi said, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal, an urban beach near a border checkpoint with Morocco.
Ahmed Karim, a 33-year old Moroccan, said he had crossed into Ceuta because of the lack of jobs in his country.
“Many people want to go to Europe, America, but they don’t have the opportunity,” Karim said.
On Friday morning, the waters near the border fence were littered with buoys as crowds of mostly young men were amassed near the crossing.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to join interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to Ceuta on Friday.
French interior minister Laurent Nunez said France would strengthen border checks with Spain, writing on Twitter/X that he had activated the Rapid Intervention Border Force, though anyone travelling to mainland Europe would be subject to checks if they were coming from Africa.
Video footage on Thursday showed throngs of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters onto local roads. While most appeared to be young men, there were also families with women and small children. Some migrants were also attempting to return to Morocco, according to a freelance photographer working for the AP.
Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the crossings, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
It was not immediately clear what prompted so many people to cross into Ceuta.
To reach Ceuta, located on the northern African coast, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about three miles to reach Spanish territory. Others attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter.
