Tory fury as Michael Gove refuses to give promises over fish after Brexit

MICHAEL Gove yesterday refused to promise furious Tories that Britain will have “full control” of fish stocks after Brexit.

PM Theresa May’s transition deal will see Brussels ­in charge of British fishing quotas for 21 months after we exit.

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Michael Gove refused to assure angry Tories Britain will have ‘full control’ over its fish stocks after Brexit

But Downing Street and the Environment Secretary were caught off-guard by the scale of the backlash.

Mr Gove told the Commons: “There is disappointment in fishing comm-unities. I know, as someone whose father was a fish merchant, whose grandparents went to sea to fish.”

But quizzed by MPs over control of British waters, he would only reply: “We will be negotiating as an independent coastal state.”

Angry Scottish Tory MPs had broken ranks yesterday morning claiming a “Brexit betrayal”. Mrs May summoned them to No10 to try to quell the public spat.

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The Environment Secretary was caught off guard by the scale of the backlash, with Scottish Tory MPs calling it a ‘Brexit betrayal’

But there were angry scenes at a private meeting when Chief Whip Julian Smith was said to have told MPs not to worry about the cave-in as “fishermen will never vote Labour”.

Scottish MPs later said Mrs May had “reassured” them the UK would take full control of its waters after the transition period.

But they warned they would vote down the deal if British rights are bartered away in trade negotiations.

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Tory Chief Whip Julian Smith is reported to have told MPs not to worry as ‘fishermen will never vote Labour’

Moray MP Douglas Ross hit out: “It would be easier to get someone to drink a pint of cold sick than try to sell this as a success.”

MP John Lamont said: “No deal for fishermen and they will have to think again on the terms of our departure.”