French must stop boats, say Tories

FRANCE must be willing to intercept small boats “anywhere”, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has said.

- By Michael Knowles

He stressed that the French navy must not limit their efforts to shallow waters as people smugglers development new tactics to avoid detection.

It comes as local officers are said to be furious with proposals to intercept dinghies up to 300 yards into the water.

Union chiefs are planning to block the raids, warning of a “potential for disaster, including further deaths”.