PM Bojo’s El Dorado fish claim is mocked
BORIS Johnson has been ridiculed for promising Scots fishermen an “El Dorado” under the UK’s agreement with the EU.
The Prime Minister’s empty boast came as seafood exporters were given details of compensation for multimillion pound delays and losses caused by Brexit.
When he was challenged at PM’s Questions by Labour’s Ben Bradshaw MP about form-filling faced by the industry, the Tory leader resorted to bluster.
Johnson claimed that by 2026, the UK fishing industry will have access to all the fish in all the territorial waters of the UK.
But the deal states just 25 per cent of EU boats’ fishing rights in UK waters will be transferred over a period of five years.
Johnson said: “To get them ready for that El Dorado, we’re investing £100million in improving our boats, our fish processing industry and getting fishing ready for the opportunities ahead.”
Some people reacted by posting pictures of El Dorado tonic wine online.
Labour’s Kevin Brennan MP referenced an article on the failed early 90s BBC soap opera of the same name set in Spain.
Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael said it was a fitting metaphor for the PM to use.
The Orkney and Shetland MP said: “Fishermen may reflect that El Dorado was a myth that led to many wasted lives searching for treasure that never existed.
“Future promises of mythical wealth are worth nothing when the broken promises of the present are costing fishermen right now.”
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