In brief
According to sources, France is backing away from its commitment to more actively intercept migrant boats attempting to cross the English Channel. This shift is attributed, in part, to ongoing political turmoil in France, which complicates action against human smugglers operating near Dunkirk. The recent change of government officials also signals a lack of urgency in addressing the migrant crisis. As boats continue to depart daily amidst these developments, the UK government expresses frustration over French delays in tackling the issue.
France is backing away from a recent commitment to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel, according to multiple sources contacted by the BBC.
There is evidence that France's current political turmoil is partly to blame, but it will come as a blow to the UK government's attempts to tackle the issue.
In the meantime, dangerously overcrowded inflatable boats continue to leave the coast on an almost daily basis, from a shallow tidal canal near the port of Dunkirk.
While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed frustration at French delays, the BBC has now heard from a number of sources in France that promises of a new maritime doctrine - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.
It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah, said one figure closely linked to French maritime security.
The maritime prefecture for the Channel told the BBC that the new doctrine on taxi-boats was still being studied.
Former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was credited with driving a more aggressive approach in the Channel, which included a summit last July between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. However, since Retailleau's exit, the French government appears more distracted by internal crises.
Local residents, like retired chip shop owner Jean Deldicque, report seeing boats leave the canal multiple times a day, adding to concerns over the stringent measures proposed earlier.
Despite protests from the UK and offers of collaboration, French maritime experts express skepticism on the feasibility of the proposed interceptions amidst fears of increased risks of casualties.
