Chris Philp says he will seek answers after a French navy drill near a Channel boat prompted concerns during interviews on small boat crossings.
Chris Philp is set to raise the French navy drill near his boat with the French ambassador after live fire took place close to the vessel while he was being interviewed in the English Channel. The shadow home secretary said he wants an explanation for why rounds were fired so near the boat during the BBC interview.
Philp made the comments in Dover after the incident and said he planned to contact the ambassador by next Monday. The interview was taking place as he discussed Conservative proposals aimed at tackling small boat crossings in the Channel when the firing was heard and recorded on camera.
Footage from the scene captured the sound of what appeared to be a burst of 17 shots fired in quick succession from the French vessel. An image taken on board Philp’s boat also showed a naval officer firing a gun out to sea. The timing of the exercise, coming during a broadcast interview on a highly sensitive border issue, quickly turned a routine maritime drill into a diplomatic concern.
The French Coastguard said the vessel was carrying out a routine training exercise and that all procedures had been followed. It also said the exercise was designed to maintain high levels of operability and that safety measures were respected. In a further statement, the coastguard said the firing had nothing to do with a British ship in the area.
“Chris Philp says he will seek answers after a French navy drill near a Channel boat prompted concerns during interviews on small boat crossings.”
Matt Coker, the captain of the boat carrying Philp and the media crew, said he had never seen anything like it in nearly three decades at sea. He said he received no warning on the VHF radio and saw no flags suggesting a live firing exercise was about to begin. His account added weight to the sense of unease around the French navy drill, even as French officials insisted the operation was ordinary.
Philp rejected that explanation and said he did not accept that the event was routine. He said it felt intimidatory and suggested it was meant to stop observers from following what was happening in the Channel. His remarks set up a clear dispute between the British politician on the boat and the French authorities overseeing the exercise.
The UK government said it was in contact with French officials to establish the facts surrounding the incident. The episode now puts a spotlight on cross-Channel cooperation at a time when small boat crossings remain a fraught political issue for both countries. For British readers, the takeaway is straightforward: when the Channel becomes a stage for confusion and mistrust, the pressure grows for clear answers and tighter coordination.
Frequently asked questions
What happened during Chris Philp’s interview in the English Channel?
Live fire was heard while Philp was being interviewed about Conservative plans to tackle small boat crossings. Footage appeared to show shots fired from a French vessel near his boat.
How did Philp respond to the French explanation?
He rejected the claim that the drill was routine. He said it felt intimidatory and suggested it was meant to stop observers from following what was happening in the Channel.
What did the French Coastguard say about the drill?
It said the vessel was carrying out a routine training exercise and that all procedures and safety measures were followed. It also said the firing had nothing to do with a British ship nearby.
What is the UK government doing after the incident?
The UK government said it was in contact with French officials to establish the facts surrounding what happened.
We value your privacy 🍪We use cookies for essential features and, if you allow it, to send you a notification whenever we publish a new story. See our Privacy Policy.
📨
Never Miss a Story
Get the headlines that matter delivered straight to your inbox.
📱 On iPhone: tap the Share icon, choose “Add to Home Screen”, then open TheTrueDefender from your Home Screen and tap 🔔 to turn on notifications. (Apple only allows notifications for saved web apps.)
📱 Add TheTrueDefender to your home screen for one-tap access.
