The British trawler kept by French authorities docks at the port in Le Havre, western France, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. French authorities fined two British fishing vessels and kept one in port overnight Thursday Oct.28, 2021 amid a worsening dispute over fishing licenses that has stoked tensions following the U.K.'s departure from the European Union. (Photo: AP)

The UK government on Sunday contradicted French claims that both sides had agreed to defuse a row over post-Brexit fishing rights, insisting it was up to Paris to back down.

"If the French government want to come forward with proposals to de-escalate the threats they have made, we would absolutely welcome them. Our position has not changed," Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters at a G20 summit in Rome.