MP Claims French Warship Fired Shots Near Boat

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has claimed that a French warship fired what he believes were 17 live rounds behind the vessel he was travelling on in the Channel. Mr Philp stated that the incident, which occurred while he was being interviewed by the BBC, felt like warning shots or an attempt at intimidation. A video shared by Mr Philp on X appeared to capture noises resembling gunshots as the French ship passed.

Conflicting Accounts of the Incident

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French authorities have offered a different explanation, stating that the naval vessel was conducting a handgun firing exercise off Cape Gris-Nez. According to a translated statement from the Prefecture maritime Manche mer du Nord, French navy units regularly undertake training exercises to maintain operational readiness. They asserted that the exercise was unrelated to any British vessel in the vicinity and that safety areas were respected, with regulatory signals displayed. The French navy also stated the warship was not involved in migrant boat surveillance at the time.

However, Mr Philp has dismissed the French explanation as "not credible". He insisted there were no prior warnings about live firing exercises and that the shots were fired at the closest point of approach, without any preceding or subsequent firing. He maintained that the event "looked and sounded exactly like deliberate intimidation."

Michael Keohan, a BBC journalist who was present, described the event as a "strange moment", noting that the French vessel was around 300 metres away and firing in "close proximity". Matt Coker, the captain of the fishing boat Mr Philp was on, told reporters that he had "never seen anything like it before" in his years sailing the Channel.

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Broader Context of Channel Crossings

The incident occurs amidst ongoing discussions about the government's strategy to address small boat crossings in the Channel. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the plan is working, pointing to a significant year-on-year decrease in crossings. He acknowledged that more needs to be done to ensure rigorous checks and control over the situation, but indicated that figures for arrivals and removals are moving in a better direction.

Analysis of government data indicates a substantial reduction in Channel crossings compared to previous years. According to the latest Home Office figures, arrivals so far this year are 45% lower than at the same point last year and 18% down on 2024.

Mr Philp has indicated his intention to raise the incident with the French ambassador.