Nigel Farage backs deploying British Army if ‘intolerant’ left holds French-style riots in UK

However, the Clacton MP voiced confusion about why French President Emmanuel Macron appeared hesitant to deploy members of the armed forces.

He told The People’s Channel: “The mystery to me is why Macron did not call the army in more quickly, and I hope if we even begin to descend to those levels that we use the military as quickly as possible.”

Admitting his fears about riots in the UK, Mr Farage added: “There is now such an intolerance, political intolerance, on the new left of British politics, and by the way, elements of the right, too.

“We don’t respect democracy anymore, or some people don’t. And they think direct action and violence is acceptable.

“Cast your mind back to 2011, when we did have some quite serious rioting and arson and looting taking place in London, I’m genuinely concerned.”

Mr Macron confirmed the French army would take to the streets on October 24 after riots engulfed the nation on October 17.

Troops from the Sentinelle military operation were deployed to reinforce police and gendarmes.

Despite Mr Farage’s call to deploy the British Army, it remains rare for soldiers to be used to deal with civil unrest.

David Cameron considered using the military following an outbreak of violence in 2011.

However, the Tories instead opted to bolster police numbers in impacted areas.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch today echoed Mr Farage’s concerns about disorder in the UK.

Speaking to GB News, Mrs Badenoch said: “I do worry that things like that could happen here.

“We’ve already seen protests flaring up across the country.

“That is why it is very important that we get our economy growing again.

“People are feeling poorer. But there is also a flip side to this.

“Our economic problems and our cultural problems are two sides of the same coin.

“If you tell young people that their country is terrible, that it’s okay to hate their country, that Britain is a racist place, and end up going on about imperialism, white privilege and all of that rubbish, then you see them burning down churches and spraying graffiti on war memorials.

“And that’s why I always intervene. You know, some people will say, ‘Why are you getting involved in culture wars?’

“I will fight for British culture. It’s very important.”

While Mr Farage rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that the migrant crisis was the sole cause of the unrest, Mrs Badenoch warned failing to get a grip on the issue risked sparking disorder in Britain.

She added: “I don’t want us to end up like France is ending up, with so much civil unrest.

“Politicians need to take responsibility. We will help Shabana [Mahmood] if she takes responsibility.”