UK summons French ambassador over fishing dispute

Brexit minister led meeting to consider government’s response after France detained a UK boat

The 'Cornelis Gert Jan', a British trawler, is moored at the port in Le Havre after being seized by French authorities. EPA

Boris Johnson’s government has condemned “unjustified” French threats and summoned the country’s ambassador in London as the dispute over fishing rights escalated.

The row over post-Brexit fishing rights has turned increasingly bitter, with a UK boat detained in a French port and threats of further action by the Paris government.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the row have involved the UK’s ambassador to Paris, Menna Rawlings, and Cabinet minister George Eustice talking to ministers in the French government.

But in a sign of growing concern in Westminster, Brexit minister Lord David Frost led a meeting to consider the government’s response.

“The proposed French actions are unjustified and do not appear to be compatible on the EU’s part with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement [TCA] or wider international law,” a UK government spokesman said.

“We regret the confrontational language that has been consistently used by the French government on this issue, which makes this situation no easier to resolve.

“We have raised our concerns strongly with both the French and the EU Commission.

“As a next step, the foreign secretary has instructed minister [Wendy] Morton to summon the French ambassador.”

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the ambassador, Catherine Colonna, would be expected to attend the Foreign Office on Friday “to explain the disappointing and disproportionate threats made against the UK and Channel Islands”.

French ministers have said they will block British boats from some French ports and tighten checks on vessels travelling between France and the UK if the issue is not resolved by Tuesday. They have also threatened the electricity supply to the Channel Islands.

On Thursday, the row intensified as the scallop vessel Cornelis Gert Jan was ordered to divert to the port of Le Havre after authorities said it was fishing in French waters without a licence.

The French said that another British trawler had also been fined for obstruction after refusing to allow police on board to carry out checks.

The incidents came amid anger in France after the UK and Jersey turned down applications from dozens of French boats to fish in their waters in what Paris said was a breach of Britain’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

The owner of Cornelis, Macduff Shellfish, said the vessel had been fishing legally in French waters and called on the British government to protect the rights of British fishermen.

“It appears our vessel has been caught up in the ongoing dispute between the UK and France on the implementation of the Brexit fishing agreement,” said Andrew Brown, director of sustainability and public affairs at Macduff.

“The Cornelis does have catch aboard.

“This may be confiscated by the French authorities unless a speedy resolution is achieved.

“We are looking to the UK government to defend the rights of the UK fishing fleet and ensure that the fishing rights provided under the Brexit fishing agreement are fully respected by the EU.”

The French Gendarmerie patrol boat 'Athos' leaves as British trawler 'Cornelis' is seen moored in the port of Le Havre. Reuters

In an emergency Commons statement, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the government was investigating what had happened.

He said the vessel had been granted a licence by the EU but that there were reports that it had subsequently been removed from the list of vessels permitted to fish in French waters for reasons that were unclear.

“We have been extremely patient … our fishermen have been extremely responsible,” France’s Minister of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune told French TV news channel CNews.

“And so, from November 2, it’s over: we will engage in dialogue if the British want to, but we are taking retaliatory measures.

“Now we need to speak the language of force because, unfortunately, that seems to be the only thing this British government understands,” he added.

French Maritime Minister Annick Girardin also told French radio news programme RTL Matin that Britain’s “failure to comply” with the Trade and Co-operation Agreement is “unacceptable”.

“It’s not war, it’s a fight,” she said.

“The French and the fishermen have rights.

“An agreement was signed.

“We must enforce this agreement.

“We have fishing rights, we must defend them and we will defend them.”

The French embassy in the UK highlighted comments by Prime Minister Jean Castex saying that while Paris would like “de-escalation”, it was down to the British government to keep its word.

“I’d like nothing more than for there to be a de-escalation,” Mr Castex said.

“We are permanently open to discussions, but I want to say to the British government that we will see to it that our interests are respected and that their word is kept.”

Mr Eustice said the UK has licensed 98 per cent of EU vessels that have applied for access post-Brexit and more are expected to be granted following “constructive” talks with the European Commission.