Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron is backing calls that the SNP Government supports Scottish fishermen against the EU demands for access to our waters.

Mr Cameron said: “Coastal communities around the Highlands and Islands will be dismayed by the defeatist and negative attitude of the SNP to this issue.

“The SNP know full well that the real blockage to progress is the EU 27’s unreasonable demand to access our fishing grounds as a precondition to further talks.

“SNP ministers are always predicting doom and gloom. If they really were friends of our fishing sector, ministers would be getting behind the UK Government and supporting our moves to becoming an independent coastal nation once again.

“The question remains. Does the SNP government stand with our Scottish fishermen and the UK Government in holding firm against these unreasonable demands, or are they on the side of the EU27 who want our fish before negotiation?”