SNP policy ‘won’t fool fishermen’

Brexit: ‘Independent Scotland within EU at odds with taking back control of UK waters’

The Scottish Conservatives say fishing communities won’t “be fooled" by SNP general election candidates who try to keep them onside by signing a Brexit pledge.

According to the Tories, SNP politicians including Banff and Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford have backed the UK regaining control of its coastal waters after the country quits the EU and its Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

This conflicts with Nicola Sturgeon making it clear she wants an independent Scotland to remain in the EU, Scottish Conservative Rural Affairs spokesman Peter Chapman MSP claimed yesterday.

The SNP, which years ago campaigned for withdrawal from the CFP, said its policy position remained unchanged – that the CFP is not fit for purpose – and the party accused Westminster of treating fishing as a “low priority” Brexit issue.

Industry body the Scottish Fishermen's Federation has urged candidates to pledge support for its Brexit “sea of opportunity” campaign to restore UK waters to national control.

Mr Chapman accused Ms Whiteford of “a desperate attempt” to regain credibility with fishing communities in the north-east. But voters “will not be so easily fooled”, he said, adding: “No matter what Ms Whiteford may say, her party wants Scotland to be controlled by Brussels.”

An SNP spokesman said: “The CFP has been damaging to Scotland’s fishing industry – and we have continually argued that it is not fit for purpose.

“With the UK Government describing fishing as a low priority in the Brexit talks and Tory ministers refusing to rule out trading away our fishing rights, it is more important than ever that we have strong SNP voices at Westminster and a strong Scottish Parliament.”

STORM AHEAD? The SNP claims fishing rights have been described as ‘low priority’ by the UK Government