French Navy carries out 'shooting drill' mid interview

A French Navy vessel reportedly discharged its weapon "without warning" in the English Channel during a BBC interview with a Member of Parliament.

The incident occurred at 09:15 BST (10:15 CET) as Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP was being interviewed by BBC journalist Michael Keohan about small boat crossings. A French warship passed approximately three miles from the French coast.

Keohan stated that 17 shots were fired from the boat, which was about 300m away, with "no warnings." This led Philp to believe it was an intimidation tactic aimed at deterring coverage of migrant crossings.

French authorities, however, claimed the firing was part of a training exercise, unrelated to the presence of a British vessel, which they said was outside the firing range.

Philp dismissed this explanation as "not credible," asserting, "There were no warnings in place about live firing training exercises. It looked and sounded exactly like deliberate intimidation." He described it as feeling like an intimidation tactic or warning shots.

Matt Coker, the captain of the fishing boat hosting the interview, remarked that he had "never seen anything like it before."

The French authorities identified the boat as PSP Flamant and stated it was not involved in monitoring migrant vessels.

Keohan reiterated that there was "no warning for our boat, no signs given that this was the French's intention." He added, "Even now it's still not clear what the patrol boat was aiming at."

During the interview, Keohan described the moment as "the most unusual moment... in the quiet of the Channel" when the gunshots erupted. A French patrol officer was observed at the back of the boat pointing a pistol towards the sea, believed to be the source of the shots.

Following the incident, Philp commented, "It is extraordinary that the French Navy will fire live rounds to defend their waters against a visiting British politician but cannot bear to do anything about stopping illegal Channel crossings."

He continued, "If France showed people smugglers half the seriousness they showed me, the boats would stop. Instead, the French wave them through and pass them off to the British coastguard so it's our problem." Philp indicated he would raise the matter with the French ambassador.

A Home Office spokesperson stated, "We are in contact with the French authorities to understand the full context of this incident."

This incident follows a live-fire artillery exercise conducted earlier this month by a Russian warship, shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel, just 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth.