Brexit: Government refuses to rule out Royal Navy involvement in fishing dispute with France

Environment Secretary George Eustice has told GB News "the fisheries protection squadron is the oldest part of the Royal Navy."

"We're trying to deescalate this but we're also very clear that if France carries out the threats that they've made, then we will obviously make a proportionate response."

He told Tom Harwood the UK wants to resolve the situation diplomatically, but did not rule out the use of the Royal Navy.

Mr Eustice said France has made a number of "extraordinary" threats to close ports to UK fishing vessels, or "be deliberately difficult and obtuse when it came to goods going through the border."

The Environment Secretary told GB News viewers that the fishing dispute with France has been raised through diplomatic channels with the European Commission, adding he hoped France stepped back from the threats being made,