The UK “understands only the language of force”, a French minister is reported to have said after the country seized a British fishing boat, in an angry dispute between the countries over fishing rights.
“We have been extremely patient … our fishermen have been extremely responsible … And so, from 2 November, it’s over: we will engage in dialogue if the British want to, but we are taking retaliatory measures,” Clement Beaune, France’s Europe minister, said.
French maritime minister Annick Girardin added Britain’s “failure to comply” with the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) was “unacceptable”. She said: “It’s not war, it’s a fight.”
Boris Johnson’s government threatened to retaliate should France impose sanctions on British fishing vessels, with environment secretary George Eustice saying threats to block British boats from French ports and tighten checks appear to breach international law.
It comes as Cornelis, a British scallop trawler, owned by Scottish firm Macduff Shellfish, continues to be detained by French officials for allegedly operating in France’s waters without a licence.
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Bloomsberg’s Jorge Valero reports the following:
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The boss of Sainsbury’s has reassured customers there “will be plenty of food” this Christmas despite the supply chain crisis.
Retailers have warned recently that disruption to the global supply chain due to Covid-19 and a shortage of lorry drivers is likely to affect Christmas supermarket shelves, reports Ben Chapman.
There is estimated to be a shortfall of around 100,000 lorry drivers in the UK, and soaring energy prices have also added to the cost of food production and logistics.
Tory backbencher condemns ‘unwelcome’ insults about UK govt
Conservative backbencher Richard Fuller has criticised a French minister for using “very unwelcome language” about the UK government.
It follows Clement Beaune, France’s Europe minister, saying the UK “understands only the language of force” amid tensions over post-Brexit fishing agreements.
Macduff: ‘We’re looking to the government to defend our rights’
Let’s get some commentary from Macduff Shellfish now, the Scottish firm which owns the boat detained in France.
Andrew Brown, director of sustainability and public affairs at Macduff, said:
“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.
“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.”
UK govt urged to defend British fishermen amid row with France
Ministers are facing calls to step in and defend British fishermen after a UK boat was detained in a worsening row with France over post-Brexit fishing rights.
The scallop vessel Cornelis was ordered to divert to the port of Le Havre after the French authorities said it was fishing in French waters without a licence.
French authorities said that another British trawler had been fined for obstruction after refusing to allow police to 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.
French ministers have warned 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.
Additional reporting by PA
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Master of detained British boat interviewed by French authorities
Sky’s Kate McCann has the following update on the British boat being detained in France.
The broadcaster’s political correspondent writes the fishing boat’s master has had an interview with authorities which “went well”.
“He has been released back to the boat, which is still being held,” she adds.
Assange should be ‘hailed’ as truthteller and freed – Corbyn
Crowds gathered at the High Court in London on Thursday as the US continued its fight to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
The Australian is wanted in the US on allegations of a conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information following WikiLeaks’ publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
Speaking ahead of the hearing, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Assange should be “hailed” as a truthteller and released from prison, reports Chiara Giordano.
Deputy Labour leader’s ‘family affected by abuse too’
Sky’s Beth Rigby reports the following from a “spokesperson for Angela Rayner”:
Man charged after Angela Rayner receives threats
A 36-year-old man has been charged with malicious communications and possession of cannabis after deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner received a series of threats.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) named the man as Benjamin Iliffe, of Slade Way, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.
In a statement, GMP also said a 52-year-old man arrested in Halifax, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday has been bailed, while a 70-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communication relating to abusive emails received on 16 October.
