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Theresa May faces rebellion threat over EU fishing 'demand'

The prime minister is facing a "battle" with Scottish Tory MPs and the DUP, as Brexit negotiations go down to the wire.

A fishing boat
Image: Brussels has reportedly demanded access to UK fishing waters
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Theresa May could face fresh a fresh rebellion of Tory MPs over reported EU demands for access to UK fishing waters after Brexit.

Senior Brussels diplomats were quoted in The Telegraph saying EU fishing fleets must be granted access in exchange for a UK-wide customs union forming part of the backstop deal.

They reportedly want to "extract a high price" for the concession if a trade deal is not reached before the expected transition period ends in December 2020.

Theresa May leaves the back of Number 10 Downing Street
Image: Theresa May is battling to agree an exit deal with the EU

The claims have raised anger from Brexit supporters.

Sammy Wilson, Brexit spokesman for the minority government's partner the Democratic Unionist Party, said Mrs May must face down the demand and keep her promises to the electorate.

He added allowing EU fishing vessels access to UK waters was "going to raise the ire of Scottish MPs".

DUP politician Sammy Wilson
Image: Sammy Wilson said Mrs May faced a battle with Tory MPs and the DUP

"She just doesn't have a battle with the DUP, she has a battle with a substantial number of her own party," Mr Wilson told Sky News.

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Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage also claimed that "fishing is the acid test of Brexit".

"We must take back control of our waters from Brussels," he announced.

Nigel Farage throwing a dead fish into the Thames in a Brexit protest for Fishing for Leave
Image: Nigel Farage called fishing 'the acid test' of Brexit

Niels Wichmann, chief executive of the Danish fishermen's association, told The Guardian last week that "the issue of access to waters is part of the trade negotiations".

"That is what we have said from the start," he said.

"We discussed this with [the EU's chief Brexit negotiator] Michel Barnier when he came to Denmark. And he confirmed that this was also his position."

Environment Secretary Michael Gove promised last month that the UK would "take back control of our waters" after Brexit.

"The Common Fisheries Policy has damaged the UK's fishing industry and our precious fish stocks," he said.

"The Fisheries Bill will deliver a sustainable fishing industry, with healthy seas and a fair deal for UK fishermen."