A Scarborough fisherman has launched a scathing attack on the UK's new fishing deal with the EU, claiming Brexit has failed to deliver on promises to regain control of British waters.
Danny Normandale told GB News that Scarborough's once-thriving fishing industry has been decimated in recent years.
"In the time I've been a fisherman from Scarborough, we used to have a big, big fishing fleet in Scarborough, you could go from one side of the harbour to the other without getting your feet wet," he said.
"You look at it now and there's absolutely no trawlers left in Scarborough. The last one was sold about two years ago."
Danny Normandale hit out at the 'weak' Labour Government on GB News
GB NEWS / PA
Normandale's criticism comes as the UK and EU have agreed a new deal that will keep British waters open to European fishermen for 12 years after the current agreement expires in 2026.
The deal was finalised after talks ran late into Sunday night, with fishing rights reportedly being a major sticking point in negotiations.
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Sir Keir Starmer with Ursula von der LeyenPA"With Brexit, we were supposed to start taking back control of our waters and that certainly hasn't happened," Normandale said.
The agreement, expected to be signed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today, will see the EU ease red tape on food imports from the UK in return.
Normandale believes the UK government lacks the resolve shown by other European nations in protecting their fishing industries. "We just don't have a strong Government," he stated.
"We should be taking back control, as was promised, our Government isn't strong like the French or Spanish, they look after their fishermen."
Danny Normandale reacted to the agreement on GB News
GB NEWS
The deal has already drawn criticism from opposition parties, with the Conservatives describing the meeting as a "surrender summit" and Reform UK warning of "the great British sellout."
Shadow environment minister Victoria Atkins said: "The Conservatives have always stood up for our coastal communities, and our fishing industries. Labour must not throw our fishing rights overboard."
Normandale painted a stark picture of foreign vessels dominating British waters, particularly around the Shetland Islands.
"You only have to see the Spanish and French by the Shetland Islands, they have big areas of sea blanketed out with lines and nets we can't even get into," he explained.
"The local Shetland boats can't even fish in their local waters because of the Spanish and French."
He traced the issue back decades, claiming: "Edward Heath sold out the fishing industry to the then EEC (European Economic Community) as a last-minute deal, I believe."
The fisherman also criticised former officials, adding: "Victoria Prentice was more interested in the Nativity play than she was in reading the regulations or trying to get us a good deal."
