Chris Philp is a British opposition lawmaker for the Conservative Party. He accused a French warship of firing warning shots near his boat.

Philp was watching small boat crossings in the English Channel at the time. He said the warship fired about 17 live rounds behind his boat.

Philp said there was no warning before the shots. Crew on his boat said the French gave no announcement first.

Philp said it looked and sounded like deliberate intimidation. Photos appeared to show a crew member aiming a small handgun toward the sea.

French leaders said the gunfire was part of a routine training exercise. They said it followed international safety rules. The incident has raised questions about communication between the UK and France at sea.