Royal Navy gunboats on standby in Channel after French trawlermen snubbed for post-Brexit fishing licences
NAVY gunboats are on standby in the Channel after French trawlermen were snubbed over post-Brexit fishing licences.
It raised fears of a new blockade of Jersey by French militants.
Two Royal Navy clippers were sent in to protect the Crown dependency and forced the French trawlermen into peace talks over continued access to UK waters.
Now tensions are set to reignite as Britain and Jersey have thrown out three quarters of their demands for licenses to fish our waters.
Government insiders warned any French boats planning a similar stunt in the coming days that "all contingency measures are on the table" as ministers braced for fresh clashes.
In weeks of tense negotiations, Brussels demanded at least 47 new licenses for European boats to fish near to the UK mainland.
But the UK gave the green light to just 12 last night - saying most of them didn't meet the new strict, post-Brexit criteria.
In the waters around Jersey, 166 boats claimed historical ties to the area, but just 47 licences got fish will be granted today.
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It's feared the two thirds of rejected boats could blockade Jersey again within days.
Boats need to have made at least one fishing trip to the area per year for at least four out of five years between 2012 and 2016.
Civil servants were locked in a tense two-hour crunch meeting yesterday with the European Commission and the French to lay out the terms of the new deal.
Officials demanded data showing fishing activity in the area and recordings of what fish were caught as proof.
Fishermen will find out today whether they've secured one of the much sought-after licences to fish within miles of British coastlines.
A UK Government spokesperson insisted their "approach has been reasonable" and "fully in line with our commitments" made in the Brexit trade deal.
They added: "We continue to work with the Commission and the French authorities and will consider any further evidence provided to support the remaining licence applications."
We will not hesitate to take retaliatory action
French Europe minister Clement Beaune
Last night French sabre rattling was led by their outspoken Europe Minister Clement Beaune - who warned they would "not hesitate" at retaliating if they felt short changed on fishing licences.
He fumed: ";We understand and share the frustration of our fishermen.
"We cannot cooperate in confidence with the UK until the deal is honoured. We will not hesitate to take retaliatory action."
He said an EU-wide response could include tariffs on British goods or cutting cooperation on energy supplies.
"There are numerous areas in which the Brits need us", he added.
Fishing minister Annick Girardin added: "French fishing must not be taken hostage by the British for political ends."
French fishermen have threatened to blockade UK goods and rip up electricity cables to Jersey if they don't get full access to our waters.
One warned: "In this game, it will end badly."
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The EU Commission welcomed the extra licenses for some French boats but said it "regrets that it has not been possible to bring this issue now to an end".
A spokeswoman said: "We will ask the U.K. for full disclosure of their methodology and will continue to further engage in the interest of our fishermen and women so that further licenses will be provided."