French presidential candidate blames Britain for small boats crisis in Channel

French presidential candidate Édouard Philippe says Britain’s migration policies encourage people to cross the Channel in small boats, placing an unfair burden on France. He has threatened to renegotiate or end agreements with the UK if elected, making the crossings a point of tension in relations between the two countries.

Philippe criticised the current funding deal and called for Britain to pay the full cost of France’s migrant policing operation. The three-year agreement announced in April provides France with £662 million, around half the cost of its interception operation, as well as equipment including drones and a specialist boat. The article also reports that more than 10,000 people had crossed since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July.