UK Warns Retaliation On France Over Threats In Fishing Row

The UK could respond in turn if France goes ahead with threats amid a row over post-Brexit fishing rights, the environment secretary has said, warning that “two can play at that game”.

France says it could stop British boats from landing if the dispute over licences was not resolved by Tuesday.

George Eustice said the language used by French officials was “inflammatory”.

He said he was raising the issue with the European Commission, while France’s ambassador has been summoned for talks.

A British trawler was seized by France and another fined during checks off Le Havre on Thursday.

French authorities said the detained vessel, the Cornelis Gert Jan, did not have a license. This has been denied by its owner, Macduff Shellfish of Scotland.

The captain of the scallop dredger will face a court hearing in August next year, French authorities said on Friday.

Ministers met on Thursday to discuss the situation and are understood to be considering a “range of options” to retaliate.