GB News was paused as Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage claimed a source has informed him that Iranian operatives have been arriving in the UK's best-connected. As a breaking news banner flashed at the bottom of the screen, the politician told GB News viewers: “I do have a source who is one of the best connected human beings in the world that I know. He told me last night that he knows for a fact that over the course of the last few weeks, there have been Iranian operatives who have been crossing the English Channel in small boats.

“To put that in simple terms, we are importing terrorists into our country from across the English Channel, and I challenge the British government to tell me I am wrong. Tell me I am wrong because, given everything we are seeing, it would make sense that they would do that.”

Farage is now publicly demanding a response from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

He added: "I'm going to ask the Home Secretary publicly, 'Am I right, am I wrong, or do I get a no comment?"

According to the latest data, over 30,000 Iranians have illegally crossed the Channel since 2018, including 4,500 last year. This number constitutes 16 per cent of all small boat arrivals.

GB News viewers flocked to comment on Farage’s claims, with one writing on X: “Extraordinary claims need actual evidence. If someone has proof of ‘operatives’ arriving by small boat, they should publish it. Until then, it’s just another rumour dressed up as intelligence. If you don't share your evidence you are complicit.”

A second added: “Absolutely zero evidence provided! If Iran wanted to send its 'operatives, ' they'd do what everyone else does and send them over as embassy staffers.”

Another added: “Farage claims we're 'importing terrorists'. Convenient timing. The real problem is weak vetting, ECHR rules and no returns policy. Painting every small boat arrival as an IRGC plant is lazy xenophobia.”

Meanwhile, another said: "We want these Labour MPs and the PM tried for treason against the people when you get in Nigel."

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