Paris had threatened to sue the British government over the long-running dispute over access to British waters for French fishermen.

The European Commission has reportedly told France to back down from a move that could drag the EU into a trade war.

The German government is believed to be worried about a dispute between Britain and the bloc.

Sources at a meeting of ministers in Brussels on Tuesday said the possibility of legal action over the fisheries was not part of the discussion.

A French victory could have resulted in the imposition of tariffs on British fish exports to the EU and the banning of British trawlers from bloc waters.

Post-Brexit rules mean French skippers are denied unhindered access to British seas and must seek permission.

France says the UK has not issued enough licenses, but Britain insists applications have been given the green light to those with the correct documents.

Just before Christmas, Paris announced it would take legal action against the UK in January.

Earlier this month it emerged that Mr Macron had deployed Philippe de Lambert des Granges to sound out the opinions of French fishermen.

A graduate of the School of Maritime Affairs, he was director of the Brexit project for the French ministries responsible for maritime activity and agriculture between 2019 and September 2020.

According to the Ministry of the Sea, its responsibilities include supporting every fisherman who has not obtained a license.