Conservative MP Andrew Bowie has launched a scathing attack on the government's new Brexit reset deal with the EU, claiming British fishermen have been "sold out" merely to secure "a good headline".
Speaking on GB News, Bowie described the situation as "incredibly disturbing" as details emerged of a deal that will allow EU boats access to UK fishing waters for an additional 12 years, far longer than the four-year arrangement the UK had reportedly sought.
Bowie expressed particular concern about the Government abandoning the fishing industry's key demands.
"What they were seeking was a return to annual negotiations with the EU which, by the way, is for every other country that negotiates fishing access with the EU has and a limit from zero to 12 miles," he told GB News.
Bowie hit out at Keir Starmer's post-Brexit 'reset'
GB NEWS / PA
The Conservative MP suggested the deal represents a significant concession, with the UK agreeing to a decade-long arrangement rather than the annual negotiations that would have given British fishermen greater control over their waters.
Bowie questioned whether the concessions were worth the benefits being touted by the Government.
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Andrew Bowie joined Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello on GB News
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"For the sake of getting through Schiphol Airport 10 minutes quicker than you would have done should that otherwise have been the case, I'm not sure that what we'll have agreed to will have been conducive to being in Britain's interests," he said.
His scepticism stands in stark contrast to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who rated the deal "a solid eight out of ten" and described it as "good for borders, bills, security in the UK and jobs."
The deal, finalised after overnight negotiations ahead of a summit between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, represents a significant compromise.
According to EU diplomats, the UK has agreed to open its fishing waters to EU boats for 12 years, while securing a veterinary agreement that will reduce bureaucracy for British farming and fisheries exports.
Reynolds admitted he is not fully satisfied with the deal by failing to give it full marks GB NEWS / PAThe government source indicated that Brussels dropped demands to link the duration of an agreement on food and agricultural product checks with fishing rights, which helped secure the breakthrough.
Labour is bracing for a significant backlash over what critics view as a betrayal of the UK's fishing sector. Bowie's criticism reflects wider concerns that the government has prioritised diplomatic relations over protecting British fishing interests.
"The fact is, we left the EU because people were fed up with being a rule taker, with rules being set in Brussels over which we had very little input," Bowie said.
He remained sceptical about the government's positive assessment, adding: "The EU are very tough and skilful negotiators and they will have gotten something out of the deal."
