Jersey blockade: Boris Johnson told he MUST be ready to act in the face of French threats

Jersey: French boats protest in St Helier port waters

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Jayne Adye has reminded French President Emmanuel Macron that his country has tried on a number of occasions to “go to war” with Jersey – and has failed every time. Ms Adye, the director of Get Britain Out, was speaking after the two ships were deployed in the face of threats by Annick Girardin to switch off the electricity supply to the British territory.

Mrs Girardin made her extraordinary remarks in France’s National Assembly in response to Jersey’s decision to issue 41 fishing licences with unilaterally imposed conditions, including the time French vessels could spend in its waters.

Ms Adye told Express.co.uk: “This behaviour from French fisherman and the threats made by French officials are just the latest in a long line of examples which show the scale of the EU’s ‘emperor complex’.

“There is no God-given right for French fisherman to continue to fish in UK waters now we have left the EU, and this includes the waters off Jersey. “

If illegal action is taken by French fisherman then there must be consequences

Jayne Adye

As a sovereign, independent nation, the UK had every right to impose whatever restrictions it saw fit on vessels wishing to enter and fish in its waters, Ms Adye said.

She added: “The Prime Minister is entirely correct in diverting Royal Navy vessels to the area, however, these must not simply be there for show.

“If illegal action is taken by French fisherman then there must be consequences.”

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Any failure to respond to attempts by members of the EU27 to threaten the UK would be “catastrophic” for the nation’s global reputation and its standing among members of the EU27.

Ms Adye asked: “If we allow actions like blockades of our ports to happen then who knows what could come next?

“I would remind the French, they have tried to go to war with Jersey before – and on all occasions they have lost.”

Turning the situation around, she added: “Imagine what would happen if we took our trucks over to France and plundered French vineyards, or stole the roses from the land around Grasse.

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“I am sure the French would react in the same way those on Jersey are doing to protecting the fish in the waters around their island.

“However, as a country which has once again reclaimed its independence, we must learn from these threats from our supposed ‘Friends and Partners’ because what is more clear than ever is the need for the UK to reduce its dependence on foreign powers for critical goods, like electricity, steel, and technology.”

Ms Adye concluded: “In the modern world we live in, cooperation is always useful, but our own interests must come first because we simply do not know who we can rely on.

“This is clearly obvious with the French now threatening to cut off electricity they currently supply to Jersey.”

Speaking yesterday, Mrs Girardin said: “In the Brexit deal there are retaliatory measures. Well, we’re ready to use them.

“Regarding Jersey, I remind you of the delivery of electricity along underwater cables.

“Even if it would be regrettable if we had to do it, we’ll do it if we have to.”

France responded to Mr Johnson’s decision by sending a pair of police patrol boats as dozens of French protesting fishing vessels gathered off the main port, St Helier.

The EU has complained to Britain that the terms of its post-Brexit trade deal are being ignored in the midst of the deepening dispute.

The European Commission said French fishing boats were facing “additional conditions” if they were to carry on operating, in breach of the terms of the agreement hammered out on Christmas Eve.

But in a call with Jersey’s Chief Minister John Le Fondre, Mr Johnson again voiced his “unequivocal support” for the actions taken by the island’s government.

At around 1.30pm on Thursday afternoon, the French boats appeared to be moving away from Jersey following the stand-o

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