EU accuses UK as France seeks to ‘rapidly defuse’ Jersey fishing row

France moves to calm diplomatic waters but Brussels says Britain has breached terms of Brexit trade deal

The European Union accused the UK of breaching the terms of the post-Brexit trade deal on Thursday as tensions over fishing rights in the Channel Islands were de-escalated after a dramatic 24 hours, with Royal Navy boats ordered to retreat from Jersey shores.

Brussels' claim that London had flouted the rules came on a day in which 60 vessels blockaded Jersey's harbour, a French boat rammed a British fishing vessel and Boris Johnson declared his unequivocal support for the Channel island in the battle with its nearest neighbours.