French authorities have seized a British fishing vessel accused of operating without a valid licence in French territorial waters, escalating tensions between the UK and France over post-Brexit maritime rights.
The vessel was intercepted Thursday night in the English Channel by the French Navy patrol ship Pluvier and escorted to the port of Boulogne, where it remains detained pending a formal investigation. French coastguard officials said the boat was caught fishing without authorisation during a routine inspection.
The seizure has triggered a wave of political backlash in the UK. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused France of “shameful double standards,” arguing that while French officials are quick to detain British boats, they routinely fail to intercept migrant vessels crossing the Channel.
“If the French can intercept fishing boats, they should be stopping the boats carrying illegal migrants too — as international law requires,” Philp said.
The incident follows growing unrest among UK fishermen, who voiced outrage earlier this week over Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s new agreement with the European Union. The deal allows continued EU access to UK waters for up to 12 years, a provision critics within the Conservative Party and Reform UK have blasted as a “capitulation.”
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said support is being provided to a British national in France and that officials are in contact with French authorities. No further comment was offered due to the ongoing investigation.
The Liberal Democrats have praised aspects of the broader UK-EU reset as a constructive step toward rebuilding relations, but the clash over fishing rights highlights unresolved friction in the post-Brexit landscape — particularly among coastal communities who feel left behind.
The outcome of the French inquiry could have broader diplomatic implications, as both nations grapple with the balance between national sovereignty, maritime law, and shared access to vital fishing grounds.