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Meanwhile Robert Oulds, director of pro-Brexit think tank the Bruges Group has said the UK had “international law” on its side, calling Mr Frost “robustly” to explain the realities to opposite number Michel Barnier. The issue of post-Brexit fishing rights is one of the most controversial aspects of the UK’s relationship with the EU once the transition period ends on December 31. The next round of negotiations is set to get underway tomorrow – and with the Political Declaration on the future relationship signed last year committing both sides to reach an agreement by July 1, the stakes are high.

Mr Frost himself gave a clear indication he was not willing to be railroaded into anything when speaking to MPs last week.

He said: “I am beginning to think we might not make it by the 30th of June but we will keep trying.

“We don’t regard fisheries as something that can be traded for any other bits of the negotiation.”

He also said the deadline was an aspiration as opposed to an “absolute requirement” in a remark likely to ruffle feathers in Brussels.

One EU diplomat from a non-fishing country hinted at splits within the bloc over the issue, telling Politico: “The fisheries countries must be aware that the status quo is simply not achievable

“There will come a moment that both sides, including the EU, has to compromise to strike a deal. Maybe we have to rethink our approach.”

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Others across the channel were more bullish.

One EU official, speaking after Mr Barnier consulted with fishing ministers from France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium, said: “There was nervousness after some press reports that the EU would be willing to concede on fish.

“That meeting had already been planned, but it was good to reassure EU countries that we were sticking to our plan.”

Another added: “The unanimity among ministers was striking.

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“Ministers all stressed how important it was that the Commission is sticking to its negotiating mandate.”

Irish Marine Minister Michael Creed: “All ministers expressed full confidence in Michel Barnier and his team to defend the essential objectives and principles set down in the mandate.

“I reiterated Ireland’s full commitment to the EU negotiating mandate and delivering an outcome that upholds our existing access and quota shares. That position was also supported by other ministers.”

However, Flemish Minister for Fisheries Hilde Crevits sounded a pessimistic note, saying: “At the moment, it is difficult to see common ground between the British proposals and the EU negotiating mandate of the member states.”

Mr Oulds told Express.co.uk: “International law is on our side.

“The waters our ours, this needs to be robustly explained by David Frost.

“He must also make it clear that Britannia will be expanding its maritime patrols and defence to enforce our rightful claim and deter both the EU’s fishing armadas and the French escorting migrants across the English Channel.”

Speaking to Express.co.uk on Thursday, former Brexit Party MEP June Mummery said Prime Minister Boris Johnson needed to be ready to “walk away” from negotiations with the European Union if they insisted on having access to British waters.

She explained: “If the EU thinks they are going to keep us in the common fisheries policy and keep things the way they are, that is not going to happen.

“We would like a deal, of course we would.

“They are our friends and neighbours in the EU and we need to work with them but we must leave, even without a deal.

“They are our waters and we want them back.”

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