Alex Armstrong has launched a scathing attack on footage showing French police slashing a migrant boat, dismissing the intervention as "complete political theatre".
The incident that sparked Armstrong's criticism occurred early Friday morning on a beach south of Boulogne.
French police officers waded into shallow waters and used knives to slash an inflatable boat packed with men, women and children.
The vessel was wallowing dangerously in the waves when officers intervened. All passengers managed to clamber to safety as the boat collapsed and rapidly deflated.
GB NEWS
|Alex Armstrong launched a scathing attack on footage showing French police slashing a migrant boat
Alex Armstrong told GB News: "I just don’t buy it. Do any of you really believe they’re going to do this every day?
"It’s theatre, isn’t it? Complete political theatre.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"Emmanuel Macron is coming over, he doesn’t want protests. He probably just wants to come over all glorified again.
"He’s saying, ‘Look, we’re stopping the boats now. Thanks for all that money you gave us years ago we’re finally doing the job you paid us to do.’
"I think it’s a load of nonsense, I really do."
Political commentator Cristo Foufas added: "I am cynical, because I always thought they hid behind the law that once a boat is in the water, they’re not allowed to actually intervene. Well, they say they’ve changed that now. Apparently, they can do it."
Alex Armstrong said: "Hundreds of boats have crossed the Channel. We shouldn’t glorify the fact they’ve finally done their job.
"What if I only did my job once? I’d have been sacked a long time ago and that’s the reality.
"We shouldn’t be saying, ‘Well done France, you did your job.’ That’s why I’m not giving it any credence.
"It’s nonsense like we’ve been thrown a little crumb."
BBC | French police slash migrant boat filled with people for first time before it leaves shore
Officers were seen removing their body armour before rushing into the water with small knives.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the tactic as "different" and "welcome", noting it formed part of a broader strategy for French police to intervene in shallow waters before boats set sail.
Sources in France have indicated that any procedural changes being considered would likely focus on using patrol boats to intercept vessels at sea before they are fully loaded, rather than approving more aggressive beach interventions by police officers.