A dramatic incident unfolded in the English Channel after a French patrol boat appeared to fire a series of gunshots while a BBC interview with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was taking place aboard a fishing vessel.

Philp was filming a segment about the ongoing migrant crossings near Boulogne-sur-Mer when the French naval patrol vessel *Flamant* reportedly passed within a few hundred metres of the boat. Witnesses say a crew member then discharged around 17 rounds from a handgun into the sea behind the vessel, with no warning or indication that a live-fire exercise was underway.

The fishing boat's skipper described the incident as highly unusual, claiming the shots were only fired as the patrol vessel came alongside before continuing on its course. Philp later said the gunfire felt like "warning shots" or an attempt at intimidation, although there has been no official confirmation from French authorities about the purpose of the firing.

The incident comes as migrant crossings across the Channel continue to dominate political debate in both the UK and France. It is likely to raise further questions over maritime operations and cooperation between the two countries as pressure mounts to tackle illegal crossings. French officials had not publicly commented on the incident at the time of writing.