Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Jan 13, 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”.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Designates Saudi Arabia a Major Non-NATO Ally, Elevating US–Riyadh Defense Partnership
Trump Organization Deepens Saudi Property Focus with $10 Billion Luxury Developments
There is no sovereign immunity for poisoning millions with drugs.
Mohammed bin Salman’s Global Standing: Strategic Partner in Transition Amid Debate Over His Role
Saudi Arabia Opens Property Market to Foreign Buyers in Landmark Reform
The U.S. State Department’s account in Persian: “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know it until now, now you do—do not play games with President Trump.”
CNN’s Ranking of Israel’s Women’s Rights Sparks Debate After Misleading Global Index Comparison
Saudi Arabia’s Shifting Regional Alignment Raises Strategic Concerns in Jerusalem
OPEC+ Holds Oil Output Steady Amid Member Tensions and Market Oversupply
Iranian Protests Intensify as Another Revolutionary Guard Member Is Killed and Khamenei Blames the West
President Trump Says United States Will Administer Venezuela Until a Secure Leadership Transition
Delta Force Identified as Unit Behind U.S. Operation That Captured Venezuela’s President
Trump Announces U.S. Large-Scale Strike on Venezuela, Declares President Maduro and Wife Captured
Saudi-UAE Rift Adds Complexity to Middle East Diplomacy as Trump Signals Firm Leadership
OPEC+ to Keep Oil Output Policy Unchanged Despite Saudi-UAE Tensions Over Yemen
Saudi Arabia and UAE at Odds in Yemen Conflict as Southern Offensive Deepens Gulf Rift
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Why Saudi Arabia May Recalibrate Its US Spending Commitments Amid Rising China–America Rivalry
Riyadh Air’s First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Completes Initial Test Flight, Advancing Saudi Carrier’s Launch
Saudi Arabia’s 2025: A Pivotal Year of Global Engagement and Domestic Transformation
Saudi Arabia to Introduce Sugar-Content Based Tax on Sweetened Drinks from January 2026
Saudi Hotels Prepare for New Hospitality Roles as Alcohol Curbs Ease
Global Airports Forum Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Leading Aviation Powerhouse
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Choice on Iran Amid Regional Turbulence
Not Only F-35s: Saudi Arabia to Gain Access to the World’s Most Sensitive Technology
Saudi Arabia Condemns Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting and Expresses Solidarity with Australia
Washington Watches Beijing–Riyadh Rapprochement as Strategic Balance Shifts
Saudi Arabia Urges Stronger Partnerships and Efficient Aid Delivery at OCHA Donor Support Meeting in Geneva
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Drives Measurable Lift in Global Reputation and Influence
Alcohol Policies Vary Widely Across Muslim-Majority Countries, With Many Permitting Consumption Under Specific Rules
Saudi Arabia Clarifies No Formal Ban on Photography at Holy Mosques for Hajj 2026
Libya and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Telecommunications Cooperation
Elon Musk’s xAI Announces Landmark 500-Megawatt AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia
Israel Moves to Safeguard Regional Stability as F-35 Sales Debate Intensifies
Cardi B to Make Historic Saudi Arabia Debut at Soundstorm 2025 Festival
U.S. Democratic Lawmakers Raise National Security and Influence Concerns Over Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
Wall Street Analysts Clash With Riyadh Over Saudi Arabia’s Deficit Outlook
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Cement $1 Trillion-Plus Deals in High-Profile White House Summit
Saudi Arabia Opens Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Non-Muslim Residents Under New Access Rules
U.S.–Saudi Rethink Deepens — Washington Moves Ahead Without Linking Riyadh to Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia and Israel Deprioritise Diplomacy: Normalisation No Longer a Middle-East Priority
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as the Backbone of the Global AI Era
As Trump Deepens Ties with Saudi Arabia, Push for Israel Normalization Takes a Back Seat
Thai Food Village Debuts at Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 Under Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee’s Lead
Saudi Arabia Sharpens Its Strategic Vision as Economic Transformation Enters New Phase
Saudi Arabia Projects $44 Billion Budget Shortfall in 2026 as Economy Rebalances
×