France is backing away from a recent commitment to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel, according to multiple sources contacted by the BBC.
Evidence suggests that France's current political turmoil contributes to this change, which may complicate the UK government's attempts to deal with the issue.
Despite the ongoing crisis, overcrowded inflatable boats continue to leave the coast almost daily from a shallow tidal canal near Dunkirk.
Officials in the UK, like Martin Hewitt, responsible for border security, expressed frustration over the delays from France, exacerbating tensions amid the regional turmoil. Sources in France indicate that planned maritime interventions to intercept boats and return them to shore are increasingly seen as politically unfounded.
It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah, stated one person close to French maritime security.
The situation remains alarming, with the maritime prefecture for the Channel stating that new measures are still under evaluation.
The migrant boats generally leave from the beaches, but recently there has been an uptick in departures from canals. Locals report seeing multiple boats launch from the area in a single day.
Experts note that legal and moral dilemmas surround the intervention of security forces at sea, as there are concerns about the potential for increased fatalities and subsequent legal repercussions for intervening officers.
The French government, although still committed to patrolling land and coastal areas, is now focused on re-exploring the broader framework of its maritime policy amidst political unrest.
