French Navy carries out 'shooting drill' mid-interview with BBC in English Channel
A French Navy patrol boat fired gunshots without warning during a BBC interview with UK shadow home secretary Chris Philp.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- French Navy boat fired gunshots during a BBC interview in the English Channel
- Conservative MP Chris Philp described the incident as deliberate intimidation
- French authorities insisted it was a routine, scheduled training exercise
- The incident occurred at 09:15 BST, roughly three miles from the French coast
A French Navy patrol boat was caught on audio firing a round of gunshots without warning in the English Channel while a BBC interview was taking place. Conservative MP and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was being interviewed by BBC journalist Michael Keohan regarding small boat crossings when a French warship passed by at 09:15 BST (10:15 CET), approximately three miles off the French coast.
Reporting from the scene at sea, Keohan described the moment as highly unusual amid the quiet of the Channel when gunshots suddenly rang out mid-interview. A French patrol officer positioned at the stern of the vessel was observed pointing a pistol toward the sea, which is believed to be the source of the gunfire. The BBC crew noted that no prior warning or signal was given by the French vessel regarding their intentions.
It looked and sounded exactly like deliberate intimidation.
Chris Philp
Matt Coker, the captain of the fishing boat hosting the interview, stated that he had never witnessed anything comparable in his life. Philp voiced strong suspicions, saying it felt like an intimidation tactic aimed at stopping their coverage of migrant crossings. He further criticized the French Navy, calling it extraordinary that they would fire live rounds to defend their waters against a visiting British politician yet fail to curb illegal Channel crossings, adding that he intended to raise the matter with the French ambassador.
Maritime incidents and naval drills in the English Channel often carry heavy political sensitivities between the UK and France, particularly given ongoing tensions over cross-channel migrant crossings. When routine military exercises coincide with high-profile media reporting on sensitive border issues, questions regarding transparency and optics inevitably arise, even as naval authorities strictly adhere to standard operational protocols.
In response, French authorities firmly rejected the intimidation claims, explaining that the public service patrol boat PSP Flamant was conducting a handgun shooting exercise off the coast of Cap de Gris-Nez. A French Navy spokesperson stated that units train regularly to maintain operational readiness amidst current international contexts. The spokesperson emphasized that regulatory signals required by international standards were displayed, safety gauges were strictly respected, and the exercise had no relation to the British ship, which remained out of firing range, nor was the vessel monitoring migrant boats at the time.
Source: BBC Politics
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