Mr Farage described the Guernsey and Jersey approach as ‘weak’ in an interview with ITV News.
Deputy Leadbeater initially defended the island’s stance on Facebook.
‘Worry about your own borders, ours are secure, yours aren’t,’ he posted on the news story.
Yesterday he elaborated when approached by the Guernsey Press.
The islands announced this week that foreign visitors travelling to the Channel Islands without a visa would now need to pay £16 for an electronic travel authorisation from next month.
Mr Farage criticised the approach where French nationals are able to enter the islands on a day trip with only a French identity card, saying that it could lead to the islands becoming a ‘back door’ route into the UK, able to enter without an ETA.
‘I’m surprised by the decision, and I’m a little bit surprised that some of the Channel Islands’ governments have been rather weak on this,’ he said.
Deputy Leadbeater said that he had no concerns about abuse of the system.
‘The French day trip ID scheme continues to be a resounding success. Contrary to Mr Farage’s misunderstanding that we are in some way “weak” by operating this scheme, there has been no abuse or attempted abuse, and the MoU with the carriers is working exactly as intended.
‘This scheme has allowed many French tourists to benefit from day trips to the Bailiwick, while at the same time helping to strengthen our cultural links with Brittany and Normandy.’
Under the new ETA regulations, those with a British or Irish passport, or who have another immigration permission, such as a visa, settled status, or leave to remain, do not require the digital permit.