France imposes entry ban on 10 British far-right activists over anti-migrant activities

France has banned 10 British far-right activists from entering the country because of acts intended to stop migrants crossing to the United Kingdom on small boats, the French interior ministry said on Wednesday.

Following reports on Tuesday that members of the "Raise the Colours" movement had conducted anti-migrant actions on French territory, "territorial bans were issued against 10 British nationals, identified as activists within the movement and having carried out actions on French soil," it said.

The French authorities did not release the identities of the people subject to the entry ban.

A social media account called "Raise the Colours Operation France" posted videos late last year of far-right activists along France's northern coastline.

In one video posted in November, an activist filmed himself on a French beach, saying he had found a small inflatable boat buried in the sand and had slashed it.

"That is not going to England," says the man, who elsewhere has called himself Ryan Bridge.

In another post published earlier the same month, he wades into the sea and shouts at what looks like dozens of undocumented migrants boarding an inflatable dinghy on their way to England.

"You're not welcome in our country," he says.

A bitter debate about immigration in the United Kingdom last year triggered a new trend of flying English and British flags.

Anti-racism campaigners say far-right activists are behind the main organisers, "Raise the Colours".

Migrants have long sought to cross the Channel from France to the United Kingdon dreaming of a better life in Britain.

Last year, migrant arrivals to the United Kingdom hit their highest level since 2022, according to government data.

The latest figures showed 41,472 people arrived in the country via the English Channel in 2025, up by around 5,000 from 2024.

The 2025 figures are the second highest on record, just behind the 2022 peak of 45,774.