France has suspended its threats of imposing sanctions on the UK if it does not issue more fishing licences. President Emmanuel Macron said the measures would not be imposed "while we're negotiating".

       He said he was looking to see what suggestions the UK came forward with today.

       Downing Street said they "welcomed" the de-escalation from Paris but would not negotiate on licences.

       A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "Our process remains the same.

       "That's based on the methodology that we've been clear with the Commission as per the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with regard to what evidence and data licences need to be supported by in order for licences to be granted."

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       Under the EU trade deal signed last year, vessels with historic access to UK waters must be granted licences to be allowed to continue fishing there.

       They must provide evidence of having fished at least one day a year for the last four years.

       While British officials have said they will do all they can to help fisheries gather the evidence they need, they will not dilute the terms of the agreement.

       The No10 official added: "We welcome the fact that France has stepped back from the threats that they have made and we welcome France's acknowledgement that in-depth discussions are needed to resolve a range of difficulties between the UK and EU relationship.

       "We want to find consensual solutions together if we can."

       France had threatened to block British boats from landing their catches in French ports and tighten customs checks if more fishing licences were not granted to French boats.

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       The UK warned such measures would break international law as well as the terms of the EU trade agreement.

       Brussels also refused to give consent to the sanctions saying that it would have to consider whether they were compatible with the trade deal with Britain.

       In total Britain has issued 1,673 licences for the UK's exclusive economic zone, with 120 issued for the six to 12-mile zone.

       No new licences have been issued this week, although Britain and the Channel Islands approved scores of applications before the weekend.

       Mr Macron has said the UK has until Thursday to issue more licences or he will go ahead and carry out his original threats.

       "We'll see where we are tomorrow at the end of the day, to see if things have really changed," he said last night.

       "My wish is that we can find a way out on all these issues."

       Britain has said it has "robust contingency plans in place" to respond to any French action.

       Ministers are thought to be looking at ways to reduce reliance on Calais and increase shipments from other ports on the continent.