Jersey conceded to pressure over fishing permits msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Posted by Scott Lucas | May 15, 2021 |
French fishing boats off the coast of Jersey, May 6, 2021 (AP)
The Daily Mail’s front page blared, “We’re Ready for War”.
If you have “Jersey and French Fishing Boats” on your card for 1st Brexit military showdown you’re a winner.
The invocations of 1914 and 1939 continued for the next 48 hours. “Boris Sends Gunboats Into Jersey“, the Mail trumpeted. A UK Government official fed The Telegraph, “At least when the Germans invaded they kept the lights on.” Somewhat bizarrely, France’s forces waged battle on their own port: “Now the French Threaten to Blockade Calais“, before it was V-F (Victory Over France) Day: “Victoire! Two Royal Navy Ships Send French Fishing Flotilla Scurrying Back Home”.
By Harry Holmes2021-05-13T13:42:00+01:00
That’s the accusation from France – but the truth is complicated
The Royal Navy ships may be back at base, but Jersey’s fishing row is far from over. Last week’s ‘war of the whelks’ – caused by Jersey’s decision to limit the access of French vessels in the island’s waters – evoked a volatile response from France and instigated blockaded ports and threats to the island’s power. Jersey’s fishermen called it “close to an act of war”.
Tensions were eased this week by Jersey’s decision to postpone its new licensing rules until July, but the issue will not subside. Former EU negotiator Michel Barnier accused the UK government this week of behaving like “buccaneers” by failing to honour the UK-EU trade deal.
HMS Severn joins sister ship Tamar at Portsmouth after gunboats saw off angry French skippers amid row over post-Brexit fishing rules
HMS Severn sailed back to Portsmouth this morning after seeing off French fishermen off the coast of Jersey
The Royal Navy River-class offshore patrol vessel was scrambled amid a standoff with French skippers
About 70 French trawlers staged a protest at Jersey s capital St Helier, before beating a retreat
The quarrel began after some French boats were refused licences to fish in Jersey s waters post-Brexit