Rear Admiral explains how Navy will respond as vessels head to Jersey

6 May 2021, 08:26 | Updated: 6 May 2021, 09:37

Rear Admiral explains Royal Navy actions

By Fiona Jones

Rear Admiral Chris Parry explains the action the Royal Navy are likely to take as two vessels are sent to Jersey amid a row with France over post-Brexit fishing rights.

France has since responded to this action by sending a military observation ship to Jersey to monitor the response.

It comes after a French government minister initially suggested her country could cut off the power it supplies to Jersey as part of a post-Brexit fishing dispute.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with Chief Minister of Jersey Senator John Le Fondre and Minister of External Affairs Ian Gorst on Wednesday about the prospect of a blockade of Saint Helier.

READ MORE: Royal Navy ships patrol Jersey as French fishing boats descend in Brexit dispute

Rear Admiral Parry explained that the Royal Navy are going there firstly to "monitor the situation" and "I think also say this is getting out of hand."

"I think what they're going to try and do is reduce tensions and say we've noticed it's got to a level where we've got to start talking seriously between civilised countries and let's get back to the negotiating table," he said.

Jersey's External Relations Minister on fishing dispute with France

Rear Admiral Parry continued that he was "not really" surprised by France's actions, telling LBC, "They've got form when it comes to this sort of thing.

"If they don't like something locally in Normandy or Brittany they always go and blockade something or somebody. I think they're forgetting the Royal Navy is the group that's really good at blockading people."

He also told Nick that the decisions made by France is a "normal gesture" when local and national politics collide.

"I think early action by the Government in sending a couple of small warships will actually say to the French you've got our attention, we're going to talk now, but let's not be silly," Rear Admiral Parry said.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the PM and chief minister "stressed the urgent need for a de-escalation in tensions and for dialogue between Jersey and France on fishing access".

"The prime minister underlined his unwavering support for Jersey.

"He said that any blockade would be completely unjustified. As a precautionary measure, the UK will be sending two offshore patrol vessels to monitor the situation."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' says defence secretary noting forces already play 'important' role in preventing escalation

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' with forces playing an 'important' role in preventing escalation

Exclusive
LBC has uncovered levels of E Coli in Britain’s rivers over fifty times higher than levels recommended by the Environment Agency, in the latest edition of Feargal on Friday.

Feargal Sharkey exposes dangerous levels of E. coli in British rivers

Exclusive
Suspending arm sales to Israel will have weakened UK's 'hand' in Washington, Ex-armed forces minister says.

Suspending arms sales to Israel weakened UK's 'hand' in Washington, ex-armed forces minister says

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat refuses to commit to reversing Labour's cuts to the winter fuel payment

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat refuses to commit to reversing Labour's cuts to the winter fuel payment

Exclusive
XL Bullies killed 16 people in 2023.

XL Bullies have created a 'new burden on policing' as forces have to look after dogs waiting for court hearings