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Friday, Feb 20, 2026

Maajid says only way to end migrant crisis is if Britain 'stop invading foreign countries'

Maajid says only way to end migrant crisis is if Britain 'stop invading foreign countries'

LBC'S Maajid Nawaz has claimed the only way to stop the migrant crisis to Britain is to stop "invading foreign countries".

The LBC presenter claimed the current English Channel crossings, which Home Secretary Priti Patel has branded as a "mass migration crisis", were the direct result of western military interventions in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Mr Nawaz noted: “Our problem is that we are one of the Governments that have played a role in that game, called the game of nations.”

The LBC presenter said that the British Government, along with other western liberal democracies, have been “complicit“ in pursuing the overthrow and invasions of other nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq, which he said has led to the migrant crisis.

He explained how when you identify this link “you begin seeing a perspective as to why those migrants may want to leave those country’s and come somewhere where at least there is stability and security.”

Mr Nawaz added: “All I am asking people to do who are anti-immigration is to understand the humanity of those coming, even if you disagree with the policies.

Mr Nawaz said western interventions in countries such as Iraq (pictured) are behind the crisis


The radio presenter then went on to claim that the solution to the current migrant crisis “cannot exist” until the west “stop messing up” the countries where the migrants are coming from.

He suggested: “That means stop invading foreign countries, stop interfering in foreign wars, stop overthrowing governments we don’t like…

“Stop messing with people’s lives and up-ending them so they have to leave their homes and try and come somewhere safe!"

He concluded how if his listeners “you agree with that, I will agree with your anti-immigration stance.”

Seized dinghies at Dover from human traffickers who take migrants across the English Channel


Mr Nawaz's comments come as Priti Patel used a press conference in Washington DC on Thursday to launch a furious attack on Brussels for fuelling the Channel migrant crisis.

In a ferocious takedown of the European Union she blamed the bloc's internal open borders for the crisis, claiming they allow millions of illegal migrants to move freely around the Schengen area.

Despite her attacks on the bloc and speculation about France's role in the crisis, Ms Patel insisted French authorities are “absolutely patrolling the beaches” as agreed under a deal struck with the UK.

She said: “I would maintain the numbers are so significant that have they got enough resources. We are constantly pressing France on this, and we're asking them to be honest with us about where the gaps are because they can't be everywhere and obviously, the numbers are high.”

24,000 migrants have landed on Britain's shores so far this year


But she warned that “France can't do it on their own” when it comes to stopping the crossings adding that France is now “overwhelmed” by migrants attempting a Channel crossing.

Earlier this year the UK offered £54million to the French to help stem the flow of small boats through increased patrols, but the French have claimed the UK have still not paid this sum.

It comes as the government has been talking to other nations to see if migrants can be processed abroad to deter them from heading to France.

Responding to a question from reporters after it was rumoured the UK was reported to be in talks with Albania to carry out migrant checks, she said everything is “on the table” to deal with the issue. Despite this, Albanian foreign affairs minister Olta Xhaçka claimed that such an agreement was “fake news”.

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