The French government has taken decisive action against a group of British activists, banning ten individuals from its territory over their alleged involvement in anti-migrant activities. The move targets members of the UK-based group Raise the Colours, which has been active in northern France.
French Authorities Take a Stand
On Tuesday, the French interior ministry confirmed it had issued "territorial bans" against 10 British nationals. Officials identified the individuals as activists within the Raise the Colours movement who had reportedly carried out actions on French soil. While the specific actions leading to the bans were not detailed, the ministry was unequivocal in its reasoning.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the ministry declared: "Our rule of law is non-negotiable. Violent and hate-inciting tactics have no place in our territory." The identities of the ten people affected have not been publicly released by the authorities.
Context of Rising Tensions and Far-Right Activity
This action comes against a backdrop of heightened political tension surrounding migration across the English Channel. In 2025, a total of 41,000 people made the crossing in small boats, marking the second-highest annual figure since records began in 2018. This situation has fuelled anti-migrant rhetoric and attracted the attention of far-right groups from the UK.
Both Raise the Colours and the party Ukip, which describes itself as "new right," have previously travelled to coastal areas of northern France. There, they have livestreamed footage of themselves confronting and harassing asylum seekers who are waiting to attempt the crossing to the UK. Raise the Colours has also been associated with the widespread display of Union Jack and St George's flags across parts of England.
Reaction from Raise the Colours and Campaign Groups
Raise the Colours responded to the French announcement by calling it "absolutely disgraceful." A spokesperson for the group stated that, at the time of their response, no formal notification of the administrative measures had been received. They emphasised that the bans appeared to target specific individuals rather than the organisation as a whole.
The group's statement insisted: "Raise the Colours has always maintained that its activities must remain peaceful and within the law. The organisation does not support violence or any unlawful activity." They pointed to their own recruitment and screening processes designed to ensure legal compliance.
In contrast, the campaign group Hope Not Hate welcomed the French decision. Georgie Laming, Hope Not Hate's Director of Campaigns, said: "The Raise the Colours team have been harassing both migrants and charity workers in northern France for months." She added that with the group's recent recruitment drive, the ban was a timely intervention to prevent further escalation.
History of Confrontations in Northern France
French authorities had already launched an investigation into an alleged "aggravated assault" near Dunkirk in September. The incident reportedly involved four men carrying British and English flags who verbally and physically assaulted a group in Grand-Fort-Philippe, telling them they were not welcome in England.
Online videos have previously surfaced showing individuals linked to such activism. In one clip from November, a man filmed himself on a French beach claiming to have found and destroyed an inflatable boat buried in the sand, stating: "That is not going to England." In another, the same individual waded into the sea to shout at people boarding a dinghy, calling them "potential rapists, murderers and child abusers" and telling them they were not welcome in the UK.
The UK Home Office has been approached for comment on the French government's action.
