A EURO MP representing the Humber port of Hull has publicly criticised the UK Government for using anti terrorist legislation to freeze the assets of Icelandic banks during the recent economic crisis, claiming it was putting the international fish trade at risk.
Liberal Democrat Diana Wallis was visiting the Hull area offices of Iceland Seafood Ltd, which has major interests in the UK, when she made her comments.
She said Icelandic Seafood had been forced to rapidly adjust their business to cope with the changes following the collapse of Iceland's three main banks. Ahead of the meeting Ms Wallis said: 'The worst Iceland has been guilty of is the same light touch financial regulatory system as the UK. I don't recall either the Irish or German Governments considering invoking terrorist legislation against the UK when our government allowed the near collapse of Equitable Life where thousands of individuals lost their pensions and savings and remain all these years later, without compensation.'
She added that the recent action put historic fishing links and investment between Icelandic businesses and the UK - and the Humber in particular - at risk.
Mr Fridleifur Fridleifsson, managing director of Iceland Seafood, said the company had gone through a difficult time, but was determined to carry on as normal bringing high quality fish products to the UK markets.
He added: 'I am delighted that Diana Wallis has found the time to meet us and discuss the situation of the Icelandic fish business in the region.'
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