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Britain’s defences are in a “terrible state” and the Trump administration looks at the country as a “basket case”, Nigel Farage has warned as concern mounts about the US removal of all B-1 bombers from the RAF Fairford air base. The Reform UK leader told the Express: “I have no doubt that why the Americans have pulled out of Fairford is they fear the Iranian cells in Britain. It’s very bad.”

Mr Farage gave a scathing account of how the UK is now viewed by those around the US president, warning: “Americans think we’re a basket case, London’s crime-ridden, and sadly, their respect for us is dwindling and diminishing. Whatever we think of Trump, the fact is our relationship with America is much more important than our relationship with Europe – security, intelligence, everything else.”

Mr Farage fears that terrorists may be able to enter the country by hiding among migrants crossing the Channel. “I have warned for years about terrorists coming into Britain via the small boats,” he said.

Mr Trump confirmed to reporters this week that the bombers had been moved because “there might be a threat”. Mr Farage gave a dire assessment of Britain’s defences, saying: “We’re just in a terrible state.”

He is concerned about the size of the UK armed forces. The UK regular army had just 73,790 soldiers at the start of the year – not enough to fill Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. The Reform leader is also worried about the threat of prosecution hanging over veterans and the impact it could have on the armed forces.

He said: “We’re in real, real trouble. But it isn’t just about money. It’s about attitude, it’s about thought, it’s about legislation that means servicemen can be prosecuted…This is serious.”

His comments come as the October 28 Budget looms and the Labour Government comes under pressure to boost military funding. Chancellor John Healey helped end Sir Keir Starmer’s time as Prime Minister when he quit as defence secretary in protest at under-funding.

Mr Farage is unequivocal that a Reform UK government would deliver on the NATO commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. “Absolutely,” he said. “And we must, and we have to.”

In the latest sign that defence is rising up the political agenda as a national concern, the Conservatives have committed to investing in a £10billion “Iron Dome” defence system.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has also voiced her alarm about the US removal from the British airbase, writing in a national newspaper: “Is it any wonder the US are pulling their bombers out of RAF Fairford? They don’t believe the Government is doing what’s necessary to defend our country from hostile states. We have to get serious.”