Lee Anderson has hit back at critics of Reform UK’s plans to tackle the small boats crisis, telling opponents to “shut up” as he continued a fact-finding mission to migrant camps around northern France. Speaking to GB News from Calais, the Reform MP encouraged others to come and witness the scale of the migrant crisis first-hand. Mr Anderson described visiting beaches used for crossings and sprawling camps housing around 2,500 people.His visit comes after Reform announced Operation Fortress, a plan to deploy the Royal Navy to the English Channel to turn back small boats attempting to break into Britain. Nigel Farage described the policy as the “largest military operation since World War Two” and that it would end the crisis within “a fortnight” of Reform winning the next General Election. Defending the proposal, Mr Anderson insisted rescuing vessels in difficulty would both save lives and help dismantle the people-smuggling trade.“We have to rescue these people on these boats because otherwise they’ll drown,” he said. “Let’s rescue them. Let’s take them back to France,” he said, invoking the “mega-dinghy” that caught fire in the Channel yesterday. Lee Anderson has slammed critics of the small boats crisis while visiting Calais | GB NEWSWhen challenged over criticism from political opponents and sections of the media over Reform’s plans, the MP delivered a blunt response.“I’ll say to those critics, shut up,” he hit back.“We’re the only party with a credible plan. We will save lives in the Channel, we will save the lives of women and children, and we’ll stop the illegal migration trade. “It’s as simple as that,” the Reform Chief Whip declared. Reform has announced its Operation Fortress policy to end the crossings | GETTYDuring his visit, Mr Anderson said he and his team had twice been approached by heavily armed French police while observing the coastline near Calais and Dunkirk.The Reform MP argued many of those making the journey were economic migrants rather than refugees, claiming they viewed Britain as “a soft touch” because they expected to be accommodated in hotels after crossing the Channel.“When they think within a matter of hours they can jump on a dinghy, get rescued and be in a four-star hotel somewhere in England, three square meals a day, Wi-Fi, new clothes, pocket money – why wouldn’t they come?” Discussing what he had seen so far, Mr Anderson said: “It is a lot more organised this time, the price of it a lot cheaper.”At least 2,000 migrants have so far made their way across the Channel into the UK in the weeks since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister | GETTYHe also noted that many migrants attempted to hide their identities when cameras approached, saying: “One of the standout moments for me was the number of men who were covering their faces up as we walked by with the cameras.” “It makes you wonder why they have to cover their faces up.”He also said one of the biggest changes since his last visit three-and-a-half years ago was the growing number of women and children in the camps.“It’s not just all men now,” Mr Anderson explained. “There are families, there are whole communities there, and it’s getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”At least 2,000 migrants have so far made their way across the Channel into the UK in the weeks since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.