The United Kingdom has sent a stern warning to France over a continued fishing row spat

Under a new warning from Britain, France has 48 hours to back down in a bitter dispute over marine rights, otherwise face legal action from the UK under the Brexit trade deal.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Monday stated that Paris had “behaved unfairly” – accusing France of making “unreasonable threats” when it comes to fishing rights.

France has stated that it could impose targeted measures from Tuesday, including forcefully stopping boats from the UK from docking in its ports as well as tightening customs checks on British goods entering the nation.

London however has rebutted, stating that it distributes fishing licences under rules in the post-Brexit deal, which was signed with the European Union in December last year.

Paris claims some French vessels have been denied permits to operate in areas where they have long fished.

Ms Truss confirmed her country would “absolutely” take legal action in the coming days if France pressed ahead with its threatened sanctions.