Keir Starmer is preparing to cave and give the EU more of our fish in return for a defence deal

SIR Keir Starmer is preparing to cave and give the EU more of our fish in return for a defence deal.

But furious critics warned the PM would be “betraying” Brexit if he sacrificed British fisherman to the bloc.

Two fishing trawlers at sea.

1

Britain’s fish are back on the table in talks with EuropeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The UK and EU are holding a landmark summit next month to discuss a new security pact to combat Putin’s Russia.

But France is threatening to block Britain joining unless we agree to hand over new quotas of fish to the EU.

The Sun on Sunday understands the “likely direction of travel” is that Britain will do a fish deal in return for UK defence firms getting access to EU weapons contracts.

An insider said if the choice is between a small industry like fish and a big industry like defence the government “should pick the big industry”.

Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “The EU ought to stop carping and pay us for defence while the government must not flounder by betraying our fisherman again.”

Fellow Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker said: “This is yet another lose lose from Labour, with the EU taking on both counts

“Our defence capacity is a substantial prize for Europe, so we wouldn’t be giving up fish for them to take it.

“Further concessions on fish are a fundamental betrayal of our departure from the EU.”

Under the current deal, the EU gets a quarter of the fish caught in UK waters.

But that agreement is due to come to an end next year.

French President Emmanuel Macron wants a new deal so Europe gets its hands on our fish for years to come.

Downing Street declined to comment.

The Sun’s Alex West presses Jacob Rees-Mogg as he arrives at his election count

Source link

Related Posts

No Content Available