France has accused the UK of breaking the UK–EU pact on post-Brexit relations after most applications by French fishermen to fish in British waters were rejected. The French government reacted angrily on Tuesday after it emerged that, out of 47 French applications for small fishing boats to operate in the UK’s territorial sea, just 12 fishing licences were granted. France’s minister for the sea Annick Girardin, quoted in Le Monde, said: “It is a new refusal of the British to apply the conditions of the Brexit accord despite all the work undertaken together.” “I have only one watchword; to obtain definitive licences for our fishermen as the accord foresees,” she said. “French fishing must not be taken hostage by the British for political ends.” French minister for Europe Clement Beaune said his government “will not hesitate to take retaliatory action, collectively.” “We understand and share the exasperation of our fishermen,” …