France Steps Back from Migrant Boat Interception Pledge Amid Political Turmoil

Tue Oct 28 2025 22:19:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Sources report that France is retreating from its commitment to more aggressively intercept migrant boats in the English Channel, affecting its cooperation with the UK government.

France has reportedly backed away from its promise to increase maritime patrols to prevent migrant boats from crossing the English Channel. This decision occurs against a backdrop of political instability in France and ongoing concerns related to the safety of intervention measures. Despite earlier commitments to adopt a new 'maritime doctrine,' sources indicate that these promises are unlikely to materialize, leaving overcrowded and unsafe vessels to continue their journeys from French shores. Pressure increases on the French government as the UK seeks effective collaboration amid rising crossings.

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.

There is evidence that France's current political turmoil is partly to blame, but it will come as a blow to the UK government's attempts to tackle the issue.

In the meantime, dangerously overcrowded inflatable boats continue to leave the coast on an almost daily basis, from a shallow tidal canal near the port of Dunkirk.

While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed frustration at French delays, the BBC has now heard from a number of sources in France that promises of a new maritime doctrine - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.

It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah, said one figure closely linked to French maritime security.

The maritime prefecture for the Channel told the BBC that the new doctrine on taxi-boats was still being studied.

Former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was widely credited, not least in the UK, with driving a more aggressive approach in the Channel. That culminated last July with a summit between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The focus then was on plans to intercept the so-called taxi boats now used by the smugglers to cruise close to the coastline, collecting passengers already standing in the water.

French police rarely intervene against the overcrowded taxi-boats since it's considered too great a risk to both officers and civilians.

Days before the summit, French police waded into the sea to slash the sides of a taxi-boat as it got caught in the waves and drifted close to shore.

In London, the prime minister's spokesman reacted immediately to the footage, calling it a really significant moment and proof that the French were already starting to take tougher action. However, policy changes have seemingly stalled following Retailleau's departure from the ministry amidst ongoing crises in France.

As boats continue to leave France almost unimpeded, local residents express frustration. Reports indicate that some patrol boats have circled migrant vessels without taking action, painting a troubling picture of current border management.

A former chip shop owner noted seeing multiple crossings in a single day from his canal-side home, emphasizing the ongoing threat of overcrowded vessels.

Despite past commitments, many sources underscore the challenges of intervening at sea, with concerns about escalating fatalities if enforcement measures are enacted.

Ultimately, the situation reflects a complex interplay of political, social, and humanitarian concerns, as both nations navigate the dire circumstances surrounding the migration crisis in the English Channel.