Reform UK MP Danny Kruger has sparked a fresh row over Channel crossings after claiming asylum seekers arriving in small boats are “comparatively wealthy” men who do not deserve help from the British state.

Speaking at the Big Brue festival in Somerset, Kruger argued that migrants who can pay people smugglers thousands of pounds must be considered relatively affluent, despite many using savings or borrowed money to finance their journeys.

Kruger says smugglers’ fees prove migrants are wealthy

Kruger said many arrivals were “fit young men” who had travelled through safe countries before reaching Britain. Asked how he knew they were wealthy, he pointed to the thousands of pounds paid to smugglers and contrasted them with people he believed were more deserving of taxpayer-funded compassion.

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants rejected the claim, saying asylum seekers can be barred from working in Britain and may live on as little as £8 a week. Spokesperson Seema Syeda said people fleeing war and persecution remained entitled to safety regardless of their financial circumstances.

Kruger doubles down on explosive immigration rhetoric

The Reform MP also backed comments by former Reform candidate Matt Goodwin, who recently used the phrase “drug-dealing goat-herders” while attacking immigration at the party’s conference. Kruger said the description was factual and said he accepted the language.

He went on to warn of what he described as “massive cultural transformation”, criticising the integration of second- and third-generation migrants and claiming millions felt alienated from mainstream British society.

Warning of ‘civil war’ raises the stakes

Kruger further claimed current policies risked leading to civil war, attacking what he called elite “virtue signalling” over multiculturalism.

Green Party co-deputy leader Rachel Millward condemned the remarks, accusing Reform of attacking vulnerable people fleeing war and famine. She called for more safe routes so asylum seekers could apply before making dangerous Channel crossings.

Small boat arrivals are 'wealthy men' who do not deserve help, says Reform’s Danny Kruger

Bruton is quite a pleasant little town. Must have been awash after such a frothy mouthed speech!