Michael Gove and Ruth Davidson demand Britain TAKE BACK CONTROL of fishing after Brexit

The pro-Leave Environment Secretary and pro-Remain leader of the Scottish Conservatives released a joint statement which rejected EU calls for the maintenance of “reciprocal access” to British waters during the two-year transition phase which begins in March 2019.

Mr Gove and Ms Davidson said: “We believe it is vital that we regain control over our own fisheries management.

“During the implementation period we will ensure that British fishermen’s interests are properly safeguarded.

“Whatever differences we had on Brexit, we both agree that our fishing industry stands to benefit from our departure from the common fisheries policy.

“We are both committed to doing all we can to make those benefits real.”

Their words have come after this week the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said “reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources should be maintained”, in the latest EU bid to use Britain’s waters post-Brexit.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has also suggested the EU could have access to UK waters post-Brexit.

He said: “Fishing is an iconically important British industry and we are very clear that we are taking control of our waters.

“Of course, we would be open to discussing with our EU partners about the appropriate arrangements for reciprocal access for our fishermen to EU waters and for EU fishermen to our waters.

“We would have to negotiate the basis on which such an arrangement could be fair and appropriate for us.”

However, during the Prime Minister’s landmark Brexit speech at Mansion House last week, Mrs May confirmed Britain would leave the Common Fisheries Policy in order to make its own laws to regulate the fishing industry.

She said: “We are also leaving the Common Fisheries Policy. The UK will regain control over our domestic fisheries management rules and access to our waters.”

Speaking on Sky News, Jonathan Isaby, the editor of Brexit Central, said it would be a sell-out if the UK did not take back control of Britain’s fisheries after the UK has cut ties with Brussels.

He said: “One of the totems of taking back control surely should be that Britain can again control its own territorial fishing waters.

“That is an absolutely vital thing that the Government need to do.

“Philip Hammond, it is being speculated, that he may be willing to give away extra rights over our fishing waters in return for something else in the negotiations.

“I think there would be a sense of distrust and sell-out on the British party if that were to happen.”