A UK government spokesperson said: “This is a matter for the French authorities.”

The French authorities said a handgun shooting exercise had taken place by the public service patrol boat Flamant off the coast of Cap de Gris-Nez.

A spokesperson said: “In order to maintain their high level of operability in the current international context, the units of the French Navy train regularly.

“Individual training of the combatant is part of the normal activity of a ship in operations.

“The regulatory signals as provided for by international standards for this shooting exercise were displayed, and the safety gauge was respected.

“This exercise is unrelated to the presence of a British ship in the area, which was out of range of fire.

“The PSP Flamant was not engaged in an operation to monitor migrant boats.”

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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