Mundell puts pressure on May over fears for EU f ishing deal

THERESA May is under pressure from her Scottish Secretary to ensure she delivers on a key fishing pledge.

David Mundell contacted the Prime Minister’s top team to raise concerns about any extension of Britain’s transition out of the EU leaving the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in place.

Several new Tory MPs in NorthEast Scotland attribute their victories in last year’s election to the party’s commitment to getting Britain out of the CFP.

It is understood Mr Mundell contacted Downing Street as soon as it emerged that extending the transition period might be an option.

A source close to the Scottish Secretary said: ‘He will be seeking assurance that extending the transition does not delay departure from the CFP in December 2020.’

Mr Mundell first discussed his concerns with senior advisers to the Prime Minister on Wednesday. A series of Tory MPs representing North-East fishing communities have spoken out against any extension to Britain’s time in the CFP.

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie said: ‘It would not be acceptable to the Scottish Conservatives to delay our departure from the Common Fisheries Policy beyond the date already agreed, December 2020.’

Earlier this week, it emerged that Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Mr Mundell threatened to resign if Northern Ireland is granted a separate Brexit deal keeping it in the European customs union when the rest of the UK leaves, amid fears it would play into the hands of the SNP and damage the Union.

It is understood that Mr Mundell sees exiting the CFP as another ‘red line’, although he is confident that the Prime Minister will act before he needs to consider standing down from Cabinet.

Meanwhile Ross Thomson, MP for Aberdeen South, who played a prominent part in the Leave campaign in Scotland, claimed that extending the transition period ‘reduces the UK to vassalage’.

He said: ‘Those on both sides of the EU argument find this a dangerous idea. I therefore cannot envisage any support for this proposal in Parliament.’

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: ‘There is a fear among fishermen that any extension to the UK’s time in the Brexit waiting room would be used by the EU to place conditions on the return of fish stocks that are rightfully ours via long-term agreements.’

Last night, Mr Mundell told BBC Scotland: ‘We are still leaving the Common Fisheries policy at the end of 2020. Leaving the CFP is an essential part of leaving the EU.’

‘A genuine fear among fishermen’