Boris Johnson Accused of Sending UK Fishermen ‘Down the River’ Over Brexit Trade Deal

“The oven-ready deal was just the starter,” he said in reference to the withdrawal agreement implemented in January this year. Lifting the document aloft, he added: “This is the feast – full of fish, by the way.” His assertion comes as fishermen warn the sector may have been sold down the river to appease the EU, with the chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations saying it contained “significant concessions”.

The deal has already come in for criticism with Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, saying there will be “frustration and anger” across the industry about the outcome of the negotiations.

Boris Johnson had earlier in the week urged Ursula von der Leyen to help him clear two final hurdles to a Brexit trade deal in the hopes an agreement could be struck this weekend. The Prime Minister told the European Commission president that a deal can be done if Brussels gives ground on fish and state subsidies, as MEPs set a new deadline of this Sunda, December 20.