Jersey Has Boris Johnson s Unequivocal Support , Says No.10
HMS Severn and HMS Tamar have been deployed to “monitor the situation” at the Channel Island.
Jersey has the UK government’s “unequivocal support”, Downing Street has said, amid an ongoing row with France over post-Brexit fishing rights.
Two Royal Navy vessels are patrolling waters around Jersey amid concerns of a possible blockade of the island.
HMS Severn and HMS Tamar have been deployed to “monitor the situation” at the Channel Island amid a protest by French fishing vessels at the port of St Helier over the lack of access.
France has also despatched two patrol boats to the area.
Au revoir! Two Royal Navy ships send French fishermen scurrying back home from Jersey after one of them RAMS a British boat in fishing row - as gunboats prepare to return to port in the UK but remain on standby
Fishermen said they were ready to restage the Battle of Trafalgar as they descended on harbour this morning
David Sellam, head of the Normandy sea authority, said: We re ready for war. We can bring Jersey to its knees
But by 1.30pm navigation charts showed the armada had given in and was sailing back towards home waters
Observer said French boats blockading the harbour had returned home but were not dropping their demands
Jersey s Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, updated the Prime Minister on the latest developments.
We updated the Prime Minister on the current position in respect of the French protest and confirmed that Jersey Government representatives were meeting the fishermen to hear their concerns, and that we would ensure that lines of communication remained open and constructive.
Senator John Le Fondré, Jersey’s Chief Minister
Mr Johnson confirmed that two Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels would remain in place as a precautionary measure to monitor the situation.
Both parties agreed to stay in touch.
The Prime Minister reiterated his unequivocal support for Jersey and confirmed that the two Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels would remain in place to monitor the situation as a precautionary measure.
Boris Johnson vows to defend Jersey from French threats and insists Navy gunboats WILL stay on guard
Nick Gutteridge
May 6 2021, 8:50 ET
BORIS Johnson today vowed to stand by Jersey in the face of French threats and announced Navy gunboats will stay in the area.
The PM spoke the island s chief minister John Le Fondré this morning as tensions escalated in a major row over fishing rights.
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They are protesting over new licensing rules for fishing in the Channel Island s watersCredit: AP
This morning dozens of French trawlers descended on the capital St Helier and threatened to blockade its port.
They are protesting against the introduction of new licensing rules for entering Jersey s waters.
6 May 2021
We are pleased that French fishing boats have now left the vicinity of Jersey. Given the situation is resolved for now, the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels will prepare to return to port in the UK. We remain on standby to provide any further assistance Jersey requests.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement brought in changes to fishing arrangements between the UK and the EU. Jersey authorities have a right to regulate fisheries in their waters under this agreement and we support them in exercising those rights.
We will work with Jersey to support the discussions underway with the European Commission.