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France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats: BBC
France cites political turmoil, safety risks, and legal concerns for halting Channel boat interceptions, undermining UK efforts to reduce migrant crossings, officials said.
- Recently, France has stepped back from plans to intervene at sea to stop small boats crossing the English Channel, a well-placed source in the French interior ministry told the BBC.
- Political reshuffles have left Bruno Retailleau, former French Interior Minister, out of office after a summit between President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer focused on intercepting smugglers' 'taxi boats'.
- Videos and eyewitness accounts show French police rarely intervene against overcrowded taxi-boats, with patrol boats recently circling inflatables and local residents reporting four departures from the Canal de L'Aa near Gravelines.
- The reversal weakens UK government efforts and intersects with Sandhurst Treaty work, as volunteer rescue crews report pulling people and bodies from the water and facing threats during long escorts.
- Current rules allow French police and firefighters to enter shallow water only for imminent rescues, police unions say plans raised earlier this year are `on hold` due to lack of equipment and training, while several sources warn of risks and the French navy opposes such missions.
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France shies away from vow to intercept migrant boats - 'It's just a stunt!'
France has backed away from their vow to intercept migrant boats, according to sources.Callis's officers were instructed to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel.However, sources close to the operation claim that the French are not doing enough.One figure closely linked to French maritime security described the efforts as a "political stunt", adding: "It's much blah-blah." TRENDING Stories Videos…
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources5
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center, 40% Right
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center, 40% of the sources lean Right
40% Right
L 20%
C 40%
R 40%
Factuality
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