Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp is seeking further clarification from French authorities regarding a naval firing exercise conducted in the English Channel, which he believes was not a routine drill.
Philp stated he "doesn't buy the line from the French that this was routine training." He described the incident as feeling "intimidatory" and suggested it was conducted to deter the UK from observing activities in the Channel, likening it to a warning. He indicated plans to contact the French ambassador by the following Monday.
The French Coastguard maintained that the exercise was aimed at "maintain[ing] high levels of operability" and that "safety measures were respected." In a statement, the coastguard asserted that the firing exercise "had nothing to do with a British ship in the area."
The UK government has stated it is in communication with French authorities to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.