Reform UK's fisheries spokeswoman June Mummery has launched a scathing attack on both Labour and Conservative governments over their handling of fishing rights post-Brexit.
The former Brexit Party MEP expressed her disgust at reports that Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to grant EU fishing boats access to British waters as part of his EU reset.
Mummery accused Labour of continuing the "codswallop" started by the Conservatives, who she claims initially betrayed coastal communities after the Brexit vote.
"I am absolutely disgusted," she told GB News.
June Mummery is furious at how the EU 'reset' could impact the British fishing industry
GB NEWS / PA /PARLIAMENT
"Let's get things in perspective. The Tories are to blame initially. We voted to leave the EU and take back control of our waters and the rich, lucrative resource to rebuild deprived coastal communities," Mummery said.
She highlighted the plight of coastal towns across Britain.
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"They really are deprived. You only have to go around the coastal towns to see just how bad things are because their natural industry has been taken away, stolen."
Mummery questioned why fishing rights were consistently used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the EU.
"Why is fishing always brought in? I just don't understand it. It obviously proves one thing. It is a great resource to have and it is worth lots and lots of money to the EU," she continued.
Her comments come as reports suggest Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to offer EU fishing fleets access to British waters for four years.
June Mummery joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
The Telegraph reported that this concession is being made ahead of a UK-EU summit next week.
Lord Frost, the former Brexit negotiator, has described the move as "a shameful surrender of fishing communities' rights".
Mummery reserved her harshest criticism for both major parties' approach to fishing rights.
"The Tories started this and Labour have now come in and they are going to continue with this codswallop," she said.
Sir Keir Starmer with Ursula von der LeyenPA"How can we be an independent coastal state when we don't even control our own waters?"
She claimed Reform UK stands alone in defending fishing communities.
"The only party that does care is Reform UK and we have been fighting for this industry since 2016 and before that."
Mummery accused both governments of dismissing coastal residents' concerns.
"They're just saying to coastal people, 'sorry, we're the kings and queens, suck it up, buttercup.'"
The fishing rights issue has become a flashpoint in the broader UK-EU reset negotiations scheduled for Monday.
France has reportedly been insisting that improvements to past Brexit deals are contingent on long-term access to British waters.
The Independent reports that French officials want a longer extension of existing fishing access than the UK has offered.
This comes as Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has vowed to reverse any Brexit "row backs" implemented by Starmer's government.
Meanwhile, negotiations on other issues including Gibraltar's status and youth mobility schemes continue ahead of the summit.
