EU member states to issue joint warning to UK over reduced fishing rights

Fourteen countries likely to take tough stance in future talks about fisheries if access to UK waters does not improve

Fourteen EU member states are preparing to issue a joint declaration accusing the British government of risking significant economic and social damage" to their fishing communities, as wider relations appear close to breaking point.

In the statement, seen by the Guardian, France, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Cyprus, Portugal, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Sweden, Malta and Latvia will call for the UK to act in the spirit and the letter" of the Brexit deal struck last Christmas Eve.