Macron appears to back down as talks set to continue in fishing dispute

President of France Emmanuel Macron (Paul Ellis/PA)

Emmanuel Macron appears to have backed down on threats to take punitive action against the UK in a dispute over post-Brexit licences to fish in British waters.

The French president warned that Paris could block British boats from landing their catches in French ports and tighten customs checks from midnight in protest at what they claim is a refusal by the UK authorities to grant licences to French boats.