French vessel appears to fire '17 live rounds' behind Conservative MP

A French warship appears to have fired “17 live rounds” behind Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp during interviews on a boat in the Channel, according to Philp’s account. He said noise like gunshots was heard as the Flamant-class patrol vessel passed, and that the officer fired what “felt like warning shots or attempted intimidation.” Philp claimed there was no warning and said he would raise the incident with the French ambassador. French authorities, through the Prefecture maritime Manche mer du Nord, stated the shots were part of a handgun firing exercise off Cape Gris-Nez, with required regulatory signals displayed, safety areas respected, and the exercise unrelated to any British vessel or migrant operations. Philp disputed that explanation, calling it “not credible.”