After the incident, Philp said: “It is extraordinary that the French navy will fire live rounds to defend their waters against a visiting British politician but cannot bear to do anything about stopping illegal Channel crossings.<\/p>\n
“If France showed people smugglers half the seriousness they showed me, the boats would stop. <\/p>\n
“Instead, the French wave them through and pass them off to the British coastguard so it’s our problem.”<\/p>\n
He said he would be raising the issue with the French ambassador.<\/p>\n
The captain of the fishing boat, Matt Coker, said he had “never seen anything like it before”.<\/p>\n
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the French authorities to understand the full context of this incident.”<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, a Russian warship, shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel, carried out a live-fire artillery exercise<\/a> just 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external<\/a>, on X, external<\/a>, on Instagram, external<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n