Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING French minister warns Britain against 'blackmail' over migrants

#UPDATE French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Thursday that France would not accept Britain violating international maritime law or "financial blackmail" as London steps up efforts to prevent #migrants crossing the Channel u.afp.com/UjDS

#UPDATE Britain and France locked horns on Thursday over reported plans by London to turn back boats carrying #migrants across the Channel, triggering alarm and anger in Paris u.afp.com/UjDq

#UPDATE Attempting to intercept #migrant boats heading for Britain once they leave France would put lives at risk, a top French coast guard official told AFP Thursday, as tensions between London and Paris rose over the issue u.afp.com/UjrU #migrants