British Prime Minister Johnson Plays Down Brexit Row With France Ahead of Climate Change Summit

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is adamant that he and French president Emmanuel Macron have “bigger fish to fry” as  he attempts to dismiss concerns that a Brexit row with France could overshadow the G20 and COP26 summits.

The U. K’s Brexit chief Lord Frost had warned to increase “rigorous” checks on EU vessels and launch dispute talks if France does not back down in a row over fishing rights.

Claiming there is a lack of licences for French boats to fish in UK waters, France is seeking to block British boats from some ports and tighten checks on vessels if the row is not resolved by Tuesday, November 2.

Johnson threatened that he will “take the appropriate action”, confirming he was ready to retaliate over what the UK views as breach of the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Then when asked if he was experiencing “deja vu” after a Brexit row with Mr Macron overshadowed the G7 in Cornwall earlier this year, Mr Johnson said: “It’s about fish rather than sausages this time, I don’t know if that’s an improvement.

“Actually, there are bigger fish to fry, everybody knows that. Am I worried about that? The answer is no.”

Johnson’s defiance came as Brexit Minister Lord Frost suggested checks could be ramped up for all European vessels in an attempt to pressure Paris to withdraw threats to block British boats from French ports.