Ex-Tory MP accused by UN of encouraging pirates back to sea

Firm set up by fisheries minister Tony Baldry criticised by United Nations Security Council for deal that allows foreign fishing vessels into waters off Somaliland.

By , Chief foreign correspondent

A former Government minister has been accused of tempting Somali pirates back into action after setting up a firm that gives foreign fishing vessels licences to operate off their coastline.

Sir Tony Baldry’s company has been criticised in a report by the United Nations Security Council over a deal with local officials that allows him to sell licences on their behalf in return for a 60 per cent cut.

Critics of the deal point out that the presence of foreign fishing vessels in Somali waters was one of the root causes of the piracy crisis, with local fishermen hijacking foreign vessels in revenge for “stealing” their fish.

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Via: http://www.telegraph.co.uk