Reynolds refuses to deny report saying EU fishing rights in UK waters extended for 12 years under deal – UK politics live
The GuardianMonday, May 19, 2025 at 7:45:31 AM
** Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds dodged questions about reports claiming the UK has agreed to extend EU fishing access to British waters for another 12 years. When pressed on whether this would force the UK to follow EU rules, Reynolds insisted the UK would resist that scenario, though he acknowledged current alignment between UK and EU regulations. He hinted that future divergence could lead to tensions if the UK isn’t consulted on EU rule changes.
What This Means: ** Fishing rights have been a flashpoint in post-Brexit negotiations, symbolizing sovereignty and control. If the UK quietly extended EU access, it’d be a big deal—critics would see it as backsliding on Brexit promises, while pragmatists might argue it’s just keeping trade flowing. Reynolds’ cagey response suggests the government’s trying to avoid another political storm over Europe.
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