Davidson and Gove call for changes over fishing

Ruth Davidson and Michael Gove have teamed up to call for the UK to leave the common fisheries policy when Britain leaves the European Union.

The Scottish Conservative leader and UK Environment Secretary said it is “vital” that the country regains control over its own fisheries management after it has left the bloc in March 2019.

The call comes as Scottish fishermen made the same demand and said they want the UK to operate as “a fully functioning coastal state” from day one following the exit.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said he wanted to ensure “that British fishermen get a better deal in the future than the one they’ve had in the past”.

But he also said Brexit talks may involve negotiating reciprocal access rights for fishermen from the European Union.

The politicians were on opposing sides in the EU referendum campaign but say they are united in their determination to ensure “Brexit delivers for Britain’s fishing communities”.

The intervention follows the recent publication of draft guidelines for the EU side of Brexit trade talks.