So now the UK is on alert…'protecting their fishermen'…

The UK Navy is preparing to mobilize armed ships against French fishermen if negotiators can't strike a Brexit deal

Four armed ships from the UK Royal Navy are on standby to protect British fisheries from French fishermen, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to multiple reports.

The four ships would be authorized to board and impound any French or European fishing vessel within 200 miles of the British shore, according to Reuters.

"The MOD has conducted extensive planning and preparation to ensure that Defense is ready for a range of scenarios at the end of the transition period," a UK government rep said Saturday, according to reports from Reuters and CNN.

The British Royal Navy reportedly has put four of its armed ships on standby to protect its coastal waters from French fishermen, as Brexit talks between the UK and EU continue to focus on territorial rights to the sea between the two countries.

"The MOD has conducted extensive planning and preparation to ensure that Defence is ready for a range of scenarios at the end of the transition period," a representative said Saturday, according to reports from Reuters and CNN.

The rep added: "This preparation includes a standby package of 14,000 personnel to ensure that we are ready to support other government departments and authorities over the winter period, including with the EU transition, Covid-19 and potential severe weather events."

The UK is due to finish its transition out of the EU at the end of the year, with or without a new trade deal. The dispute over fishing areas has been one of three "critical" issues on which EU and UK Brexit negotiators haven't been able to agree, according to a joint statement last weekend from the prime minister, Boris Johnson, and Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president.

https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-navy-mobilize-to-arrest-french-fishermen-without-brexit-deal-2020-12