France Scales Back Commitment to Tackle Channel Crossings
(MENAFN) France is stepping back from its recent pledge to take a more assertive role in curbing the small boat crossings in the English Channel, multiple sources have informed BBC.
This shift appears to be partly influenced by ongoing political instability in France, and it is expected to be a setback for the UK government's efforts to address the crisis.
Meanwhile, overcrowded inflatable boats continue to depart from the coast almost daily, particularly from a shallow tidal inlet near the Dunkirk port.
Despite these ongoing departures, Martin Hewitt, the UK’s head of border security, has already voiced "frustration" over the French delays.
However, BBC reports that several French sources have indicated that the promised "maritime doctrine"—which would involve patrol boats trying to intercept and return these inflatable boats to shore—has not materialized as expected.
One individual closely involved with French maritime security dismissed the doctrine, calling it "just a political stunt" and "much blah-blah."
According to BBC, the maritime prefecture responsible for the Channel confirmed that the new policy on taxi-boats is still under review.
The push for a tougher approach was largely attributed to former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who, especially in the UK, was widely seen as the force behind France’s more aggressive stance on Channel crossings.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
