Picture: MoD – HMS Tamar
More than 100 French fishing boats are heading to Jersey to block the main port in a Brexit fishing row.
Britain has dispatched two Royal Navy ships – HMS Tamar and HMS Severn – to monitor the growing crisis.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken to Senator John Le Fondre – Jersey’s Chief Minister – about the “prospect of a blockade of Saint Helier”.
A Number 10 spokesman said:
“The Prime Minister and Chief Minister stressed the urgent need for a de-escalation in tensions and for dialogue between Jersey and France on fishing access.
“The Prime Minister underlined his unwavering support for Jersey.
“He said that any blockade would be completely unjustified.
“As a precautionary measure the UK will be sending two offshore patrol vessels to monitor the situation.”
Senator Le Fondre and Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst said:
“We are expecting a peaceful demonstration by the French fishermen outside St Helier Harbour tomorrow morning.
“The responsible Ministers and government officials have met to ensure that the very best plans are in place to ensure islanders interests are properly protected at all times.
“We remain confident in our ability to do this.
“We welcome the ongoing support from the Prime Minister and UK Government to achieve a diplomatic solution to this dispute, and we are aware that the UK are sending two offshore patrol vessels as a precautionary measure to monitor the situation in Jersey waters.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the Severn, and the Tamar were being deployed to Jersey “to conduct maritime security patrols”.
“This is a strictly precautionary measure and has been agreed with the Jersey Government,” he added.
France had threatened to cut off the electricity supply to Jersey.
And the French fisherman would try to blockade the port to stop supplies coming in.
France has accused Britain of using red tape tactics to limit fishing in Jersey waters.
It said the action was in breach of an agreed Brexit deal and was “ready to use these retaliation measures”.
French maritime minister Annick Girardin said:
“With regards to Jersey, I would remind you, for example, of electricity transmission by underwater cable.
“So, we have the means,”
Ms Girardin said the authorisation of 41 boats to fish in Jersey waters had been accompanied by new demands “which were not arranged or discussed, and which we were not notified about”.
