Charles II decree ‘gives Belgians UK fish rights’

Flemish politicians have claimed that Belgian fisherman have “eternal rights” to fish in British waters, even after Brexit, thanks to a 1666 royal decree issued by King Charles II.

The ancient charter could, if upheld, make a mockery of Britain’s decision to take back control of its seas by pulling out of the London Convention. The 1964 convention allows certain countries, including Belgium, to fish in British waters.

Geert Bourgeois, the prime minister of the Belgian region of Flanders, said yesterday that the “fisheries privilege” granted 50 fishermen from Bruges access to British waters “for eternity”.