Tory MP Chris Philp accuses French navy of firing shots during Channel interview
British Conservative MP Chris Philp claims a French warship fired warning shots near his boat while he was being interviewed by the BBC about the small boats crisis.
An incident occurred in the English Channel off Boulogne on Tuesday involving UK Conservative MP Chris Philp. He was on a boat with BBC journalist Michael Keohan, a few miles from shore, when the French navy vessel Flamant passed by.
A French naval officer at the stern fired 17 shots from a handgun, aiming away from Philp. At the time, Philp turned to the interviewer and asked, "Is that toward us? I dunno."
After posting a video of the incident on X, Philp claimed it could have been an attempt to stop coverage of the small boats crisis. He stated there was no prior notice or training exercise, and it felt like warning shots or attempted intimidation.
However, others expressed scepticism. A former senior Border Force officer noted that naval exercises often occur at sea, with occasional shots fired, usually blanks, and this might be nothing.
Keohan described the moment as "the most unusual moment ... in the quiet of the Channel." He saw a French patrol officer pointing a pistol at the sea and believed the shots came from there. He added there was no warning given to their boat.
The fishing boat captain, Matt Coker, also suspected intimidation. He found it strange that shots were only fired when the vessel was alongside them, despite the open sea around. He suggested it could have been a show of force.
The French embassy and coastguard were approached for comment.
