FRENCH WARSHIP FIRES ROUNDS NEAR CHRIS PHILP IN CHANNEL

Chris Philp reported that a French warship fired 17 live rounds near his vessel whilst he was observing small boat crossings in the English Channel. The Shadow Home Secretary said the rounds were fired behind his boat without prior notice or warning of a training exercise. Philp characterised the incident as "warning shots or attempted intimidation" in a statement issued during a BBC interview.

Philp was conducting an observation trip to monitor what he described as illegal migrant crossings when the French vessel approached. He stated that no notice was given before the rounds were discharged and that no training exercise had been declared in advance. The incident occurred in waters that form part of a shared responsibility zone between British and French authorities for small boat operations.

No statement from French authorities regarding the incident has been reported. The circumstances surrounding the firing of the rounds remain unclear, including whether French forces were aware of Philp's presence in the area or the intended purpose of the discharge. Philp's account represents the only detailed description of the event currently on record.