Eurosceptics’ fury at French fishermen’s ‘scallop war’
and other projectiles during an extraordinary confrontation off the coast of Normandy.
The MPS attacked the Prime Minister’s Chequers Brexit deal and suggested ministers were showing weakness by not taking greater control of UK waters.
Owen Paterson, a Eurosceptic Tory MP, said on a Whatsapp group of Eurosceptic Tory MPS: “Our boats would not have to go over to French waters if they had fair access to our own. We should chuck Chequers and establish our full control of our EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone] out to 200 miles.
“We should then start managing our waters properly, learning from competent maritime nations.”
Sherryl Murray, the Conservative MP for South East Cornwall who lost her husband in a fishing accident, said: “I completely agree, Owen. We should not be starting at relative stability and gradually increasing UK share.
“Whatever are Michael and George [Eustice, the fisheries minister] thinking about? They are showing weakness. Their proposal is not taking back control. I feel badly let down.”
Mr Gove subsequently said: “I understand and share concerns – as soon as we were alerted to the issue, we contacted the MMO [marine management organisation] and French authorities. Our boats are legally entitled to be there fishing and the French boats are obviously acting illegally in response.”
Earlier this year, Eurosceptic MPS were infuriated after the Government announced that it would continue to accept EU quotas on fishing during the transition period after Brexit in March 2019. In parts of the UK, quotas mean that British vessels are allowed to catch as little as 8 per cent of fish.
Mr Gove has also been strongly criticised by Eurosceptic Tory MPS for backing the Prime Minister’s Chequers compromise, which they strongly oppose.
Ms Murray called for Royal Navy vessels to be put on standby so they could respond if necessary.
Mr Gove said: “We are ready to act as appropriate.” Ms Murray subsequently
‘They were firing rocket flares and throwing rocks and petrol bombs’
suggested that Britain should bar French vessels from UK waters after Brexit. “If we cannot safely fish French waters, which we have a legal right to do, a proportionate response would be to not allow them access to our waters.
“Therefore I don’t think relative stability can be the starting point for any future negotiations, they have unfortunately shown us this cannot happen.”
‘We were surrounded by 15 boats. It was like Vietnam [war]’
One of the fishermen caught in the clashes told The Daily Telegraph that they were subject to a “well-organised attack” and accused the French navy of failing to intervene.
Ciaran Cardell, from Truro, said: “We were about to haul up at 2am and switched the lights on and we were surrounded by 15 boats. It was like something out of Vietnam [war].
“They were firing rocket flares and throwing shackles, rocks and petrol bombs. If you got hit by one of those rocket flares, it would take your head off.
“They also tried to catch the propeller (with rope) to stop the boat. If we had stopped dead, then we would have had to be towed to their port and God knows what would have happened.”
Ed Llewellyn, the UK’S French ambassador, yesterday contacted his counterpart to complain formally in Paris while Mr Eustice is expected to speak to the French government in coming days.
Dominique Patrix, of the Normandy Fishing Committee, told The Telegraph that French fishermen are terrified of being banned from British waters after Brexit. He said that British fishermen no longer “give a damn” about trawling where they like in the Channel because they know they are “in a position of strength”.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the EU has previously warned that member states would be legally required to ask Britain’s permission to fish in its waters.