“We would consider multiple partners including El Salvador,” documents accompanying the party’s crime policy launch said. Reform argues that pulling Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights would remove a key barrier to this plan.
“We can send some of our worst violent criminals overseas to serve their terms,” said Farage at a press conference to launch the proposal. “If that means that [child murderer] Ian Huntley goes to El Salvador … our attitude is so be it.”
In March, the Trump administration invoked the U.S. Alien Enemies Act to deport dozens of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador. They were detained in a notorious mega-prison used for the country’s most dangerous criminals. Some could now be headed back to the U.S. to face immigration proceedings.
The Reform UK leader admitted El Salvador as a destination for British prisoners was an “extreme example.” Brits would not be sent there if “in danger of their lives,” he said.
But his comments came in a wide-ranging speech on crime and perceived “lawlessness” in Britain. Reform are launching a six-week campaign calling for more police officers and prison places as well as faster processes for arresting people and getting them through the U.K.’s justice system.
Farage claimed inspiration from Rudy Giuliani’s tenure as mayor of New York City, citing his “broken windows” theory, where lower level crime was targeted in a bid to deter more severe criminal activity.