Jersey live updates – Navy prepares to return to UK after French stand down as Boris Johnson vows to protect island
TWO Navy vessels located off Jersey will return to Britain after French fishermen protesting over post-Brexit fishing rights stood down.
A Government spokeswoman yesterday said Britain remains on standby to provide any assistance Jersey requests over the escalating standoff with France.
They said: "The (Brexit) 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."
The British warships arrived off the UK island to protect it from the threat of a French blockade.
Around 100 French fishing vessels began arriving at the island just after 6am on Thursdsy and some on board were setting off flares as a huge row developed over post-Brexit fishing rights.
But after the Royal Navy was sent to Jersey, the French Navy scrambled its own warships to the scene ahead of a tense stand-off.
Locals in the capital Saint Helier said tensions are running "very high" today as footage shows boats descending on the small island - just 14 miles from the French coast.
HMS Severn, which has previously been used to shadow Russian navy warships, and HMS Tamar arrived near Jersey earlier this morning.
Boris' dramatic move came after French fishermen - backed by Emmanuel Macron’s ministers - vowed to shut off the island unless they could fish more British waters, a threat branded an "act of war". The furious spat erupted after the island - which is under Britain's protection - slapped French trawlers with post-Brexit fishing licence requirements.
Read our Jersey stand-off live blog below for the latest updates...
WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY IN JERSEY?
Boris Johnson yesterday deployed the Royal Navy to protect Jersey from the threat of a French blockade.
The dramatic move came after French fishermen – backed by Macron’s ministers – vowed to shut off the island unless they could fish more British waters, a threat branded an “act of war”.
The furious spat erupted after the island – which is under Britain’s protection – slapped French trawlers with post-Brexit fishing licences requirements.
About 100 French fishing vessels are due to sail to Jersey’s port on Thursday as part of a protest against the new rules, the head of fisheries for the Normandy region, Dimitri Rogoff has said.
In the face of increasingly bellicose French threats, two patrol vessels will sent to monitor the situation and protect the islands 100,000 citizens who depend wholly on imports for food, medicine and even electricity.
ACTING LIKE RUSSIA OR CHINA’
St Helier is Jersey’s only port, which is narrow and would only take a handful of 150-ton French trawlers to block.
But local fisherman Steve Viney, 55, told The Sun: “It would be an act of war, it would be amazing to see the French try but I think they would be disappointed when they arrived and realised we won’t stand for it.
“The fact that the EU is threatening an island is off the scale, they like to think they are civilised but clearly that’s not true because this is something that Russia or China might do.”
JERSEY FISHERMAN BEATS FRENCH BLOCKADE BY SETTING SAIL EARLY
Exclusive by Adam Bennett
QUICK thinking Jersey fisherman Kevin Singleton got one over on the French by setting sail at 3am - almost two hours before they arrived.
Kevin, 31, managed to get in a full morning at sea before slipping back in between the french boats and unload his 200kg catch of scallops, crabs and lobsters.
Kevin, whose boat is called the Jenna Dee, told The Sun:"I'd heard about the French coming over to try and blockade the harbour so I thought I'm not going to let them beat me so I got up extra early before they arrived.
"I was out at sea by 3.30am, way before they arrived and managed to get a good morning in before coming back past them into port. As a fellow fisherman I can sympathise to a point with the French but I also find them quite frustrating.
"They have bigger and better boats than us and so get larger catches and they are fishing so efficiently they are almost wiping the stocks out leaving us with nothing. They are happy to call us cousins and brothers in fishing but at the same time they are happy to see us go virtually to the wall."
FRENCH BOATS RETREAT FROM JERSEY
FRENCH fishing boats have finally retreated from Jersey, but warned “next time there will be war” as the Royal Navy was called to the blockade by 100 ships.
Angry French fishermen set off flares as dozens of boats began steaming in just after 6am as the huge row over post-Brexit fishing rights intensifies.
Two Royal Navy gunships – HMS Severn and HMS Tamar – dramatically stepped in this morning after being deployed by Boris Johnson following the threat of a French blockade.
They are armed with a 20mm cannon, which can fire 700 rounds a minute at a range of 1,300 yards.
Just after 1pm the fishing boats started to retreat away from the island – just 14 miles off the French coast.
FRENCH SEAS MINISTER SAYS FRANCE COULD CUT JERSEY POWER SUPPLIES
French Seas Minister says France could cut Jersey power supplies as fishing row escalatesCONTINUED: EU ACCUSES JERSEY OF BREACHING BREXIT TRADE DEAL
Two Royal Navy patrol vessels were sent to the area in response to the threat of a blockade of the port.
Local fishermen reported flares were let off and that some boats entered the harbour for about an hour, with footage posted online apparently showing a French boat ramming the rear of a Jersey vessel.
The French maritime authority for the Channel sent two police patrol boats to the area “to ensure the protection of human life at sea”.
The protest leaders denied they were seeking to impose a blockade and the flotilla eventually headed back to France.
The UK Government said the Royal Navy ships would return to port after the French vessels left.
EU ACCUSES JERSEY OF BREACHING BREXIT TRADE DEAL OVER FISHING DISPUTE
The authorities in Jersey have promised further talks to help resolve a dispute over fishing rights after a protest by French boats in the Channel Island’s main port.
A new forum bringing together fishing representatives and the Jersey government could be established in an effort to avoid a repeat of Thursday’s drama in the waters around St Helier.
The European Union accused Jersey of breaching the terms of the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal.
The European Commission said the authorities were imposing “additional conditions” on French fishing boats operating there, in breach of the terms of the agreement hammered out on Christmas Eve.
About 60 French fishing boats gathered off the island’s main port, St Helier, early on Thursday, to protest against the new licences they have been required to obtain from the Jersey government to carry on operating.
UK NAVY BOATS TO RETURN TO PORT FROM JERSEY
Two British Royal Navy vessels located off the British Channel island of Jersey will prepare to return to port in the United Kingdom after French fishing boats left the area following protests over post-Brexit fishing rights.
A government spokeswoman said the country remained on standby to provide any assistance Jersey requests over the escalating standoff with France.
“The (Brexit) Trade and Cooperation Agreement brought in changes to fishing arrangements between the UK and the EU,” she said. “Jersey authorities have a right to regulate fisheries in their waters under this agreement and we support them in exercising those rights.”
PM VOWS TO PROTECT JERSEY FROM FRENCH THREATS
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.
This morning dozens of French trawlers descended on the capital St Helier and threatened to blockade its port.
A No 10 spokesman said: “The chief minister updated the PM on the latest developments with French fishing vessels around Jersey’s coast.
“The PM 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.”
“They agreed to stay in touch as the situation develops.”
FISHERMAN THREATENED BY A MOB AFTER TRYING TO DELIVER CUTTLEFISH TO FRENCH PORT
A FISHERMAN was threatened by a mob after he tried to deliver £4,000 of cuttlefish to a French port.
John Bomhomme was approached by the gang when he landed in the port of Carteret with half-a-tonne of cuttlefish. He was forced to dump his catch into the harbour and flee on Thursday afternoon, just hours after a flotilla of French fishermen blockaded the Jersey port of St Helier.
Don Thompson, President of the Jersey Fisherman’s Association said: “He was basically led to believe this would be his last day on earth if he didn’t turn back.
‘He had filled in all the online forms, duplicated them as is required and submitted them to all the relevant authorities and he still could not carry on his business.
“He will be dumping the fish as a dead load at sea now. There are few things worse to a fisherman than having to do that.”
‘SHAMEFUL’
Tobias Ellwood slammed France’s “shameful behaviour” and pleaded for calm.
The ex-defence minister added: “It would be wise to dispatch a Royal Navy Off Shore Patrol Vessel to the area to observe and report.”
‘ACTING LIKE RUSSIA OR CHINA’
St Helier is Jersey’s only port, which is narrow and would only take a handful of 150-ton French trawlers to block.
But local fisherman Steve Viney, 55, told The Sun: “It would be an act of war, it would be amazing to see the French try but I think they would be disappointed when they arrived and realised we won’t stand for it.
“The fact that the EU is threatening an island is off the scale, they like to think they are civilised but clearly that’s not true because this is something that Russia or China might do.”
‘ACT OF WAR’
The UK called the menacing words “surprising and disappointing” – but Jersey boatmen warned blocking St Helier would be an “act of war”.
A government spokesman added: “To threaten Jersey like this is clearly unacceptable and disproportionate.
“This is just the latest example of the EU issuing threats as a first resort at any sign of difficulty.”
As tensions mounted, Boris Johnson was urged to send in Navy observers by the boss of the Commons Defence Committee.
‘UNWAVERING SUPPORT’
Following crisis talks with the island’s leadership, Downing Street said: “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.
“They agreed the UK and Jersey Governments would continue to work closely on this issue.”
FISHERMAN THREATENED BY A MOB AFTER TRYING TO DELIVER CUTTLEFISH TO FRENCH PORT
A FISHERMAN was threatened by a mob after he tried to deliver £4,000 of cuttlefish to a French port.
John Bomhomme was approached by the gang when he landed in the port of Carteret with half-a-tonne of cuttlefish. He was forced to dump his catch into the harbour and flee on Thursday afternoon, just hours after a flotilla of French fishermen blockaded the Jersey port of St Helier.
Don Thompson, President of the Jersey Fisherman's Association said: “He was basically led to believe this would be his last day on earth if he didn't turn back.
'He had filled in all the online forms, duplicated them as is required and submitted them to all the relevant authorities and he still could not carry on his business.
“He will be dumping the fish as a dead load at sea now. There are few things worse to a fisherman than having to do that.”
ROYAL NAVY VESSELS HEAD FOR PORT AFTER FRENCH PROTESTS OFF JERSEY SUBSIDE
Two Royal Navy vessels sent to Jersey in response to a protest by French fishermen are to return to port.
About 60 French boats took part in the protest around the Channel Island’s main port, St Helier, in a dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights, before subsequently returning to port on Thursday.
Boris Johnson said he was “pleased that the situation in Jersey has been resolved” and thanked the Royal Navy for the swift response.
“The UK will always stand resolutely by the people of Jersey,” the Prime Minister said.
The authorities in Jersey have promised further talks to help resolve the row, but the French government hit out at a “British failure” to abide by the terms of the UK-EU trade deal and warned it would “use all the leverage at our disposal” to protect the fishing industry.
CONTINUED: EU ACCUSES JERSEY OF BREACHING BREXIT TRADE DEAL
Two Royal Navy patrol vessels were sent to the area in response to the threat of a blockade of the port.
Local fishermen reported flares were let off and that some boats entered the harbour for about an hour, with footage posted online apparently showing a French boat ramming the rear of a Jersey vessel.
The French maritime authority for the Channel sent two police patrol boats to the area “to ensure the protection of human life at sea”.
The protest leaders denied they were seeking to impose a blockade and the flotilla eventually headed back to France.
The UK Government said the Royal Navy ships would return to port after the French vessels left.
EU ACCUSES JERSEY OF BREACHING BREXIT TRADE DEAL OVER FISHING DISPUTE
The authorities in Jersey have promised further talks to help resolve a dispute over fishing rights after a protest by French boats in the Channel Island’s main port.
A new forum bringing together fishing representatives and the Jersey government could be established in an effort to avoid a repeat of Thursday’s drama in the waters around St Helier.
The European Union accused Jersey of breaching the terms of the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal.
The European Commission said the authorities were imposing “additional conditions” on French fishing boats operating there, in breach of the terms of the agreement hammered out on Christmas Eve.
About 60 French fishing boats gathered off the island’s main port, St Helier, early on Thursday, to protest against the new licences they have been required to obtain from the Jersey government to carry on operating.
UK NAVY BOATS TO RETURN TO PORT FROM JERSEY
Two British Royal Navy vessels located off the British Channel island of Jersey will prepare to return to port in the United Kingdom after French fishing boats left the area following protests over post-Brexit fishing rights.
A government spokeswoman said the country remained on standby to provide any assistance Jersey requests over the escalating standoff with France.
“The (Brexit) Trade and Cooperation Agreement brought in changes to fishing arrangements between the UK and the EU,” she said. “Jersey authorities have a right to regulate fisheries in their waters under this agreement and we support them in exercising those rights.”
PM VOWS TO PROTECT JERSEY FROM FRENCH THREATS
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.
This morning dozens of French trawlers descended on the capital St Helier and threatened to blockade its port.
A No 10 spokesman said: “The chief minister updated the PM on the latest developments with French fishing vessels around Jersey’s coast.
“The PM 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.”
“They agreed to stay in touch as the situation develops.”
FRENCH BLOCKADE COULD LEAD TO POTATO SHORTAGE
Farmers have warned the blockade could lead to a potato shortage as it could cause potential delays in shipments of the Jersey Royals potatoes.
Nigel Holliday, the commercial director at the Jersey Royal Company told the if the ferry from St Helier to Portsmouth is unable to travel it would mean that the orders would have to be cancelled.
Under normal circumstances, the company harvests during the day and sends the shipment with the later ferry at 5pm.
“If we knew the ferry wasn’t going to sail, we would tell the teams to stop harvesting the potatoes … because we don’t really have any other way of sending them to the UK,” he said.
He added that the blockade could be a “major disruption”, and potentially lead to lost sales.
THE ‘NEW BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR’
French fishermen have vowed a new “Battle of Trafalgar” as a man in a soldier’s uniform was seen firing a musket towards the blockade around Jersey.
The row over fishing rights between Britain and France has ramped up as two Royal Navy gunboats were deployed and a French navy vessel speeds towards the Channel Islands.
Claude La Vaullée, a Norman skipper who has fished off Jersey for 40 years, told Ouest France that he and other fishermen had equipped their vessels to “re-stage the Battle of Trafalgar”.
And in a bizarre video apparently filmed this morning at Jersey’s famous Elizabeth Castle, a man in a tri-corner hat was seen loading and firing musket at the French boats, reports .
The clip shows the man – who appears to be also wearing a high vis jacket and has been identified as a member of re-enactment group the Jersey Militia – loading his period weapon and blasting towards the coast in a puff of smoke.
‘THREATS ON JERSEY COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE’
John Healey, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, has called the UK’s move sending gunboats to Jersey “completely unreasonable”.
“The Navy’s experience in sensitive situations will help reassure residents and protect Britain’s broader national interests,” he said.
“The British government must now get round the table with French colleagues and authorities in Jersey and sort this issue out.
WATCH: DRAMATIC MOMENT 35FT FRENCH TRAWLER DELIBERATELY RAMS BRIT BOAT AS 'INVASION' TURNS NASTY OFF JERSEY
Dramatic moment 35ft French trawler deliberately RAMS Brit boat as 'invasion' turns nasty off Jersey
JERSEY GOVERNMENT HOLDS 'CONSTRUCTIVE MEETING' WITH FRENCH FISHERMENRepresentatives from the Government of Jersey said they held a "constructive meeting" with French fishermen on Thursday.
Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre said: "The French fishermen protested peacefully and respectfully, and were able to set out their concerns directly to Government representatives.
"We recognise that there have been challenges in the implementation of the new trade agreement. Speaking directly to the fishermen has enabled both parties to better understand how those challenges will be addressed, and we are proposing the establishment of a forum which will enable the Government of Jersey to continue to engage with all fishermen in the region openly and constructively.
"I'd like to thank Deputy Guida and all the other parties whose work has enabled the French fishermen to leave Jersey knowing that they had been listened to, and that a step has been taken towards resolving the issues that have arisen during the move to the new trade agreement."
The 90-minute meeting was held between Jersey's assistant minister for the environment, Deputy Gregory Guida, Government of Jersey officers, and representatives from some of the estimated 56 French vessels which arrived to protest outside the port of St Helier in the morning.