Philp says French warship fired 17 shots near BBC interview boat off Boulogne
Jul 29, 2026
TalkTV segment features shadow home secretary Chris Philp live from northern France describing an incident the previous day in which a French patrol boat fired shots during his BBC interview on a fishing boat. Philp claims the 11-17 live rounds aimed behind the vessel were deliberate intimidation with no VHF announcement of exercises. He reports witnessing a large migrant boat depart France unhindered, visits a migrant camp of mainly Eritreans preparing crossings, and estimates 500-1,000 arrivals possible that day. Philp criticizes Labour PM Andy Burnham’s recent claims that the situation is under control, attributes lower numbers to weather rather than the UK-France deal, and outlines a future Conservative policy of leaving the ECHR for rapid deportations. The host presses on perceived lack of political will and questions continued UK payments to France.