Nigel Farage has confirmed he would deport women asylum seekers back to Afghanistan under Taliban rule if he becomes prime minister. The Reform UK leader's statement represents a significant policy position on one of the most controversial aspects of immigration policy.
The confirmation came during a Sky News interview with Beth Rigby at Reform UK's Birmingham conference. According to HuffPost UK, Rigby's persistent questioning led to Farage's explicit confirmation after initial evasion about the policy details.
Policy U-turn revealed
The statement represents a U-turn from Farage's previous position on the issue. HuffPost UK reports he had previously said such deportations wouldn't happen for at least five years of being prime minister but has now abandoned this timeline restriction.
Farage stated that men would be the "first priority" for deportation as they pose "more perceived danger". Mirror reports the policy explicitly includes children alongside women in the deportation plans to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Rights-based justification
Farage framed the policy as prioritising the "rights of British people" over illegal arrivals, according to HuffPost UK. The Taliban has controlled Afghanistan since 2021 and has imposed severe restrictions on women's rights, including bans on education and most employment.
The confirmation comes as Reform UK continues to position immigration as a central campaign issue. The party has consistently advocated for stricter border controls and more aggressive deportation policies across multiple venues.
Sources used: "Sky News", "HuffPost UK", "Mirror" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
