France, Dec. 3 -- France has turned down a British proposal to mount a joint British-French patrol in the English Channel to fight clandestine migration,calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide a legal pathway for migrants seeking asylum in Britain.

Prime Minister Jean Castexwrote to his British counterpart Boris Johnsonlate Wednesday setting outFrance's suggestions to stop migrants crossing the dangerous shipping routein small boats.

While acknowledging that "every country must face up to its responsibilities" in tackling the Channel crossings, Castexrejected an idea proposed by Johnson last week of British security forces patrolling on the French coast to prevent dinghies taking to the water.

"We cannot accept ... British p...