French Patrol Boat Fires Shots During BBC Interview with UK MP

A French warship fired 17 live rounds near Conservative MP Chris Philp during a BBC interview in the English Channel on July 28, 2026. Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, was aboard a fishing vessel monitoring illegal migrant crossings when the incident occurred. The French Navy's Flamant-class patrol vessel approached the boat, and an officer discharged a handgun toward the sea. Philp perceived this as an attempt to intimidate him and obstruct coverage of the small boats crisis. He criticized France for allegedly allowing people smugglers to pass through and shifting the responsibility to the British coastguard. The French authorities later clarified that the shooting was part of a routine training exercise unrelated to any operations involving migrant boats and that the British vessel was outside the range of fire.