Daily US Times: The United Kingdom has said threats by France to block British boats from French ports in a dispute over fishing rights are a breach of international law and trade agreements.

French authorities said if there is no agreement by 2 November it will also tighten checks on UK trucks and boats, and could target Channel Island energy supplies.

Lord Frost, the UK’s Brexit Minister, said the stance was “disappointing”.

He said Britain was seeking “urgent clarification” of France’s plans.

France was furious by a decision from the British government and Jersey last month to deny fishing licenses to dozens of French boats and argued that it breached the Brexit deal.

France issued its ultimatum on Wednesday evening, saying it would begin to impose “targeted measures” from Tuesday of next week, including:

France also warned that it was also preparing further sanctions, which could include cutting electricity supplies to Jersey, as it previously threatened in May.

The government said: “The French state will continue to support its fisheries industry,” adding that it expects answers from the UK “in the next few days”.

Mr Frost said: “It is very disappointing that France has felt it necessary to make threats late this evening against the UK fishing industry and seemingly traders more broadly.”

The British government said the “disappointing and disproportionate” threat of sanctions was “not what we would expect from a close ally and partner”.

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