REFORM UK have attacked King Charles after his comments about borders and small boat crossings over the Channel.
In a speech marking President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit earlier this week, the monarch said that the UK and France “face a multitude of more complex threats, emanating from multiple directions”.
“As friends and as allies, we face them together,” he went on. “These challenges know no borders … the answer lies in partnership, and we – France and Britain – must help to lead the way. Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.”
He went on to say: “Our security services and police will go further still to protect us against the profound challenges of terrorism, organised crime, cyber attacks and of course irregular migration across the English Channel.”
“The late Queen wouldn’t have included any of that language about the boats,” Tice claimed. “I think she would’ve been much more careful.
“I presume that it’s different speech writers, but I just don’t think that she would’ve ended up in that pickle.”
The Reform MP further suggested that Charles may not have read his speech before delivering it – as Keir Starmer admitted to doing with his controversial “island of strangers” speech in May.
Tice said: “I wonder whether [Charles] fell into the trap that Keir Starmer fell into by admitting that he didn’t read his speeches beforehand.
“I just think it was unwise of the King to tread there. It’s the role of the political class to debate that sort of thing.”
Reform UK had not been invited to the state banquet with Macron, which Tice said was wrong.
“Of course we should [be there],” he told Politico. “We are a serious part of the political debate and that just can’t be denied.”
Previously, Farage also criticised the King after the media was given advance details of his speech, including that he would say there are global challenges which “know no borders”.
Misquoting the speech, Farage told GB News viewers the monarch would tell the French delegation: “No fortress can protect us, because between our countries, we know no borders.”
Farage said he thought the speech would be a "mistake", adding: “I'm not a Republican, I'm not in the habit of criticising the royal family. Perhaps he's been poorly advised.
“But actually, we are a fortress. We're an island. It gives us massive advantages, as it has done throughout the whole of history.”
