Skippers’ anger vented in talks

North-east Conservatives have admitted that local fishermen are “understandably angry” after holding a faceto-face meeting with skippers in Peterhead yesterday.

The talks were held at the end of a week in which the Tories were accused of a “betrayal” of the sector after agreeing to keep current quota arrangements during the Brexit transition period, to December 2020.

The move was signed off despite Scottish party leader Ruth Davidson and UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove pledging that Britain would quit the Common Fisheries Policy from March next year.

Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid and northeast region MSP Peter Chapman faced the skippers at Peterhead’s Dolphin Cafe.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Duguid said: “There is clearly a lot of anger in our fishing communities about the transition deal agreed this week.

“We are all disappoint- ed, but we must remain focused on the end game and ensure that we have full control over our waters from December 2020.”

Mr Chapman added: “It is incredibly frustrating that we are in this position of having to endure a longer transition period.

“Skippers are understandably angry, and I share that anger.”

At Holyrood on Thursday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We have seen a broken promise and a complete betrayal by the Scottish Tories of the Scottish fishing industry. It is disgraceful.”

David Duguid