Northwood, a former Royal Navy Captain and Operation Atalanta (the EU's anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia) Head of Operations, said: “We are not at war. Smugglers are criminals and a crime requires burden of proof. It will be difficult to distinguish between a fishing vessel and a potential smuggling boat. Therefore lethal force may well result in collateral damage and loss of life or livelihood.

“A well co-ordinated humanitarian mission and blockade will impact on the smuggling organisations, but the solution is not on the water. This problem will only be resolved ashore.”

He added: “The lesson of Op Atalanta is that a positive and coordinated effort between the UN, EU and all other involved nations is necessary to improve security and achieve economic stability. This should also include the Libyans.”