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Post-Brexit trade talks between UK Chief Negotiator David Frost and Michel Barnier continued late into the night on Wednesday and unfinished business over fisheries dominated proceedings ahead of the official December 31 deadline. . With time running out, the UK is believed to have handed over an olive branch to the EU and Mr Barnier is understood to have told EU ambassadors that Britain could now accept only 60 per cent of the value of stocks in their own waters, below the original. 80 percent figure.
Fishing accounts for less than one percent of the UK economy, but has become a symbol of regaining control of Brussels and returning it to British fishermen who have been subject to strict EU rules for the past 40 years. .
In a post on Twitter, former Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowe said: “People who make fun of fishermen and claim their industry is useless shows that they are desperate for Brexit to fail.
“Government after Government have betrayed our fishermen. If this Prime Minister thinks he can get away with doing the same, he is sadly wrong. “
Conservative MP John Redwood added: “Message to the government. Explain the many Brexit victories. Make good use of our new freedoms.
“Take us out without giving up our fish, our borders, our laws. We vote to be independent. Once free, we can do better. “
The prime minister has insisted that the UK remains committed to trying to secure a trade deal with the EU, but warned it would not be to the detriment of the UK fishing industry.
At a press conference in Downing Street, Johnson said: “I think our friends know what the bottom line is for the UK and why people voted on 23 June 2016 – they voted to regain control.”
“It’s about making sure the UK can manage its own laws, its own fisheries, etc.”
Follow Express.co.uk for live Brexit updates:
9.15am update: France pressures Barnier to withdraw: ‘No deal is better than a bad deal’
France has urged EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to walk away from trade talks with the UK instead of signing a bad deal, a former Briton said the ambassador.
In a post on Twitter, the former UK ambassador to the US and GermanyChristopher Meyer said: “Irony upon irony. Apparently the French are telling Barnier that no deal is better than a bad deal. “
Former Prime Minister Theresa May echoed those sentiments when the UK was negotiating the terms of the Brexit withdrawal deal.
9:00 am update Brexit SURVEY: Should Boris Johnson walk away if the EU insists on catching 40% of UK fish? VOTE HERE
The prime minister sparked a furor when sources in Brussels gloated that the prime minister had lowered his demands on fishing quotas with the EU in a major Brexit escalation. Express.co.uk He wonders whether the prime minister should abandon the talks if the EU insists on 40 per cent of the UK’s fish.
8.25am update: Ireland says deal can be completed in ‘next few days’
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveneand says that a Brexit trade deal can be signed in the next few days.
Talking to Newstalk Radio, he said: “Now is the time to keep your nerves and trust Michel Barnier.
“And I think if we do, there is a good chance that we can reach an agreement in the next few days.”
8:10 am update: ministers warn UK is ready to withdraw from EU negotiating table
Gavin Williamson has warned the EU that the UK is willing to walk away from the trade talks unless the deal is “suitable for Great Britain ”.
Speaking on Sky News, the Secretary of Education added: “If such an agreement is not available, then we are not going to sign something that is to our detriment.”
7.50am update: Williamson says ‘good progress’ is being made in EU trade talks
Gavin Williamson says “good progress” is being made in post-Brexit trade talks with the EU, insisting that the UK always waited for negotiations to go to the last minute.
Speaking on Sky News, the Secretary of Education said: “We always hope that the negotiations go to the limit, it is a very typical situation when you have a negotiation with the European Union.
“From what I heard, I am confident that progress is being made, good progress is being made, but we are going to make an agreement that is suitable for Britain, if such an agreement is available.”
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