French officials have rejected a proposal for the Royal Navy to intercept and tow back small boats carrying migrants across the Channel, arguing that such action would breach international maritime law. The dispute highlights continuing friction between London and Paris over how to curb Channel crossings, a politically sensitive issue for the UK government as it seeks tougher measures to deter migrants and reduce small boat arrivals.

France's position reflects long-standing legal and practical objections to physically turning back vessels at sea, including concerns over safety obligations under maritime rescue conventions and the risk of endangering lives on overcrowded dinghies. The disagreement comes amid broader strains in UK-France cooperation on migration, with both countries under pressure to demonstrate progress on reducing crossings while navigating differing legal interpretations of what enforcement action is permissible in the Channel.