Fishing rights will not derail EU-UK security pact, says European Council president

Keir Starmer and Antonio Costa. The British prime minister outlined ideas for an EU-UK security pact with leaders on Monday. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/AP

The EU will not let the question of fishing rights derail a pact with the UK on security and defence, the president of the European Council has said.

The comments from António Costa, who took over as the European Council president in December, is a boost for Keir Starmer, amid frustration among UK officials over EU insistence on linking a security deal to other demands, notably fishing rights.