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SNP accused of 'pure treachery' to fishermen after ministers 'sided with EU' over trade talks

Boris Johnson has insisted Brexit will mean the UK takes back control of its waters - Andrew Parsons/Shutterstock
Boris Johnson has insisted Brexit will mean the UK takes back control of its waters - Andrew Parsons/Shutterstock

SNP ministers have been accused of betraying Scotland’s fishing industry after they told the EU that the UK should give ground in Brexit trade negotiations.

Officials in Whitehall are said to have been left furious after Scottish ministers told the EU that the British side should soften its position in a long-standing wrangle over access to fishing waters and quotas after the Brexit transition period ends.

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, said that the SNP had displayed "pure treachery" and attempted to “sell out Scotland’s fishing industry by backing Brussels over the UK Government in trade negotiations.”

Douglas Ross launched an outspoken attack on the nationalists - Fraser Bremner/PA
Douglas Ross launched an outspoken attack on the nationalists - Fraser Bremner/PA

While Mike Russell, the SNP’s constitution secretary, said he had called for compromise on both sides, his spokesman accused the Tories of “gobsmacking hypocrisy”. The SNP said recent actions of UK ministers had significantly increased the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, which they say would be devastating to the fishing industry.

Mr Ross said: “Both of Scotland’s governments should be resolute and united in doing what is best for Scotland’s fishermen. Adopting any other position is a betrayal of Scotland’s interests.

“It is pure treachery for the SNP to sell out Scotland’s fishing industry by backing Brussels over the UK Government in trade negotiations.

“Yet again, the SNP have made it clear again that in the fight for control of Scotland’s fishing waters, they are on team Brussels.”

Regular discussions, separate to the Brexit negotiations, are held between Nicola Sturgeon, other Government ministers and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

According to a report in The Times, sources at Westminster said they "called out" their Holyrood counterparts during an official catch-up between the Scottish and UK Governments for apparently saying "both sides need to move a bit".

Mr Russell’s spokesman said: “The Tories sold out Scotland’s coastal communities on the way into Europe and now they are poised to sell them out on the way out.

“Either the UK Government reneges on its promises regarding access to fishing waters – or it forces a situation which will see devastating tariff and other export barriers placed on our seafood  sector.”

He added: “In the week in which the Tories threatened to wreck all prospects of securing a deal with the EU and re-impose a hard border on the island of Ireland, it is gobsmacking hypocrisy for them to accuse anyone else of undermining the negotiation process.”