British far-right activists monitor the beach of Gravelines as they try to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel, in northern France, on December 5, 2025. SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP
Two British nationals suspected of coming to France to take part in a banned far-right protest against migrants were arrested and taken into custody, local authorities told Agence France-Presse on Monday, January 26. The two men, who were broadcasting live videos from the French coast, were arrested near the northern town of Calais on Sunday evening, said François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais.
They were placed in police custody for inciting hatred and participating in a group with the aim of preparing acts of violence, based on comments made on social media, said Boulogne-sur-Mer Prosecutor Cécile Gressier. These are the first arrests of British far-right activists in France on these grounds, she said, adding that they are not accused of violence against individuals.
Aged 35 and 53, the men were broadcasting content likely to incite hatred live on a YouTube channel, according to police sources. They were not among the 10 far-right activists banned from French territory since mid-January by the Interior Ministry on charges of "violent actions" against migrants in northern France.
