A British fishing vessel has been seized by French authorities in the English Channel, accused of operating illegally in French territorial waters without the required licence.
The vessel was intercepted by the French Navy late on Thursday night and escorted to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where it remains impounded while prosecutors consider whether to press charges.
According to the French Coastguard, the patrol ship Pluvier carried out routine inspections on 23 May and found the British crew allegedly fishing without authorisation.
This maritime incident has reignited tensions just days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer came under fire from UK fishing communities over his new reset agreement with the European Union.
The pact, which grants EU vessels continued access to British waters for another 12 years, has provoked fierce criticism from industry leaders and opposition MPs.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office confirmed that support is being provided to a British national in France and that officials are liaising with local authorities. “As the vessel remains subject to an ongoing French investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time,” the statement read.
The Conservatives were quick to condemn the seizure. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused France of “blatant hypocrisy,” claiming that French patrols routinely ignore illegal Channel crossings but act decisively against British fishermen.
“They take no action at sea to stop the migrant boats – but suddenly find the capacity to impound a UK trawler. If the French are so capable at intercepting vessels, they should start doing so where it matters,” Philp said, referring to the ongoing migrant crisis.
The broader UK-EU deal, which covers cooperation on trade, defence, and energy, remains a point of contention. While critics from the Conservatives and Reform UK have branded it a “sell-out” to Brussels, the Liberal Democrats described it as a “cautious but necessary” step towards restoring post-Brexit stability.
