Suffolk fisherman Paul Lines has been left furious and claimed that it is "the final nail in the coffin" after it has been revealed that Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to give Brussels a larger share of UK waters to secure access for British defence firms to EU weapons contracts.
The Sun revealed that this is the "likely direction of travel" in ongoing talks, with an insider suggesting the government "should pick the big industry" when choosing between fishing and defence.
In a heated rant on GB News, the fisherman of 54 years deemed it a "Brexit betrayal" and said those in the industry "feel forgotten."
Lines explained: "All fishermen ever get is betrayal after betrayal after betrayal.
"There’s no other country in the world as an independent coastal state that would ever dream of giving up the gold and fortune the sea can bring to coastal communities. We were so looking forward to Brexit happening. But it never truly happened.
Paul Lines deemed it a 'Brexit betrayal' and said those in the industry 'feel forgotten'
GB NEWS
"We were so hopeful when they talked about the Trade and Cooperation Agreement that we’d get our waters back, we’d get the fish back, and we could even license foreign boats to fish in our waters in a way that helped rebuild our local fleets.
"But now, he wants to play war games, trading off a little bit of fish to stop playing war games in Europe and Ukraine.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Labour's Brexit betrayal is here - and it's worse than you think - Robert Courts KC
- Keir Starmer 'betrays Britain's fishermen' as PM 'folds under EU pressure' to give up UK fish for defence deal
- 'Labour selling out the country AGAIN!' Outrage as Keir Starmer accused of fresh Brexit 'backsliding' with plans to bow to EU judges
"Well, who does he think he's sending out there for us? Because from what I see around me, we’ve already got an army coming across the Channel that he didn’t stop.
"Who’s pulling the triggers on those guns? Because the whole thing it’s a joke. Everything we’re getting now is a joke.
"Fishermen are just pushed into the long grass and forgotten until there's a war, and suddenly they want minesweepers. It’s an absolute carve-up.
"How much more can they take? They’ve already got it all. We’ve got nothing left.
"We sit out there, messing about in little boats, just trying to earn a living. And you know what? What are they going to reduce us to? Or do they want us gone completely?
"The nail is right in the coffin. The British fishing industry is dead and forgotten.
"Then what? They’ll trade off the farmers next. You’ll have Frenchmen digging up spuds in British fields. It’s absolutely pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
"I’ve got no trust left. And I’ll never trust a politician again."
The Prime Minister is reportedly preparing to give Brussels a larger share of UK waters
GETTY
Under the current Trade and Cooperation Agreement, EU fishing fleets have access to UK waters, with quotas set to expire in June 2026.
Reports indicate that the EU is seeking a multi-year extension of these rights.
Jacob Rees-Mogg also weighed in, stating: "The EU ought to stop carping and pay us for defence while the government must not flounder by betraying our fishermen again."
Most read
More
