Tory Frontbencher Accuses French Warship Of Firing 'Warning Shots' Near Him In English Channel

A senior Conservative frontbencher, Chris Philp, has accused France of firing “warning shots” near his boat in the English Channel while he said he was monitoring illegal migrant crossings. Philp told reporters he was being interviewed by the BBC when a French warship approached close and fired 17 live rounds behind them, adding on X that there was no notice or training exercise. He said the incident occurred a couple of miles off Boulogne, with the Times reporting that a French navy officer fired 17 shots from a handgun aimed away from the UK politician. The French government allegedly claimed it was a routine training exercise; a fishing boat captain said no such announcement was made and he’d never seen anything like it before. The French embassy was contacted for comment.