After the incident, Philp said: “It is extraordinary that the French Navy will fire live rounds to defend their waters against a visiting British politician but cannot bear to do anything about stopping illegal Channel crossings.

“If France showed people smugglers half the seriousness they showed me, the boats would stop.

“Instead, the French wave them through and pass them off to the British coastguard so it’s our problem.”

He said he would be raising the issue with the French ambassador.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the French authorities to understand the full context of this incident.”

Earlier this month, a Russian warship, shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel, carried out a live-fire artillery exercise just 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth.

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