MP's shock as French warship in Channel 'fires shots'
British MP Chris Philp reported that a French patrol boat fired 17 shots while he was conducting a media interview in the English Channel. The incident, which occurred during a discussion on migrant crossings, is currently being investigated.
Why it matters
The incident involves potential diplomatic friction between the UK and France regarding maritime security and migration policy.
Image source, BBC/Jack Valpy Image caption, Chris Philp MP, the Shadow Home Secretary, said that the vessel fired 17 shots
An MP has said a French patrol boat fired gunshots while he was in the English Channel conducting media interviews.
Chris Philp MP was being interviewed about small boat crossings by BBC South East when what he believes to be a French warship passed by.
Noises which sounded like gunshots were then heard in the background, according to BBC journalist Michael Keohan.
The BBC has approached the French coastguard for comment on what happened.
Keohan said 17 gunshots rung out mid-interview.
No notice or training exercise were in place, with Philp saying he believed it was an intimidation tactic or warning shots.
He said it "felt to me like an attempted intimidation to stop us covering migrant crossings".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in