Britain had originally rejected three-quarters of applications from small French boats to fish in British waters. France's minister for the sea Annick Girardin, quoted in French newspaper Le Monde, accused Britain of holding French boats hostage for political ends. However, in a remarkable change of events, the Government has reconsidered and allocated a generous new allowance for our European neighbours.

       A Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said:

       "Almost 1,700 EU vessels licences have now been licensed to fish in UK waters.

       "Of these, 117 licences have been issued for EU vessels to fish in the 6-12 nautical mile zone where supporting evidence of a track record was available.

       "There are thirty five smaller vessels which did not have supporting evidence where licences have not been issued but where the UK government remains open to further discussion and evidence.

       "117 EU vessels given access to UK’s exclusive zone as part of Brexit deal."

       The move angered Tory Brexiteer Sir John Redwood who said: "The UK was wrong to give the EU more transitional fishing rights and has been very generous in allowing so many vessels into our waters.

       "The EU does not reciprocate when we are generous but instead makes nasty threats."

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