French Authorities Impose Sweeping Ban on UK Far-Right Activists
French authorities have announced a comprehensive ban targeting British far-right activists who were planning to participate in a protest against asylum seekers attempting to cross the Channel to the United Kingdom. The prohibition, issued by the Nord and Pas-de-Calais prefecture, specifically aims to prevent activists involved in the so-called "Operation Overlord" from travelling to France this weekend.
Details of the Prohibition Order
The ban, which came into force at 11pm on Friday evening and will remain effective until 8am on Monday morning, represents a significant escalation from previous measures. Earlier, the French interior ministry had banned ten unnamed far-right activists associated with the organisation Raise the Colours for actions carried out on French soil. The new interdepartmental order, issued by prefects Bertrand Gaume and François-Xavier Lauch, explicitly prohibits the presence and gathering of self-proclaimed members of these groups in several key districts:
- Dunkirk
- Calais
- Boulogne-sur-Mer
- Montreuil-sur-Mer
- Lille
In an official statement, the prefecture explained: "For several months, the presence of activists from the British far-right movement, particularly the Raise the Colours movement, involved in actions of intimidation against migrants and humanitarian organisations, has been observed on the coast of Nord and Pas-de-Calais."
Operation Overlord: Origins and Evolution
Operation Overlord was originally launched by Raise the Colours, an anti-migrant group known for placing England flags and union jacks on lamp-posts across various locations. However, the initiative has since undergone significant changes in leadership and direction. Daniel Thomas, an associate of the activist known as Tommy Robinson, has parted company with Raise the Colours and is now independently running Operation Overlord.
The operation, named after the Normandy landings on D-day in 1944, has previously circulated appeals for various equipment including:
- Stab-proof vests
- Plate carriers
- High-powered torches
- Thermal cameras
- Drones
- Encrypted radios
On Friday, Thomas posted on social media platform X regarding the gathering, stating: "Last night I gave an update on the gathering in Dover and on British and English lads travelling to France on the 24th of January. What I need people to understand is this: some details must be held back until the very last moment, not out of secrecy for secrecy's sake, but because of how important this is and what we're trying to achieve."
French Authorities' Justification and Response
The French prefecture has justified the ban by citing significant concerns about public safety and order. Their statement elaborated: "These actions, widely disseminated on social media, are part of a xenophobic and anti-immigrant ideology and create a clear risk of public disorder." The authorities emphasised that the prohibition was introduced specifically to "prevent any confrontation or threat to public safety."
Furthermore, the statement outlined the operational response: "State services, particularly internal security forces, will be fully mobilised to ensure the proper implementation of this decree, with the aim of protecting migrants, who are often victims of exploitation by smuggling networks, and guaranteeing the safety of everyone on the coast." The prefecture added that any British nationals belonging to these groups who are apprehended by law enforcement will be "returned to the border as quickly as possible."
Reactions from Humanitarian Organisations
Lachlan Macrae of the Calais Food Collective, an NGO working to support asylum seekers in northern France, welcomed the French government's decision. He stated: "We welcome the decision by the French government to ban the actions of those involved with 'Operation Overlord'. The decision from France shows these people to be what we in Calais always knew them to be, far-right racist agitators who are intent on coming out to France to harass displaced people and threaten violence."
Macrae further criticised the British government's approach, arguing: "These are British citizens whose movement, groups and rhetoric have been normalised by the British government. They pose a threat to the stability of the UK and are promoting violence and hatred in the UK too. The British government needs to take action against them and face up to the challenges of racism and hatred."
Channel Crossing Context
The announcement comes against the backdrop of ongoing Channel crossings. According to available data, 931 people have crossed the Channel in small boats in 2026 so far. The Home Office has been approached for comment regarding the French authorities' ban and the broader implications for UK-France cooperation on migration issues.
The French prefecture's decisive action represents a significant development in cross-Channel efforts to manage far-right activism and maintain public order in border regions, highlighting the complex interplay between migration politics, security concerns, and international relations.
