Ian Gatt, boss of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association, said it was "deeply disappointing" that the Faroe Islands had "chosen to hide behind its fisheries agreement" with the Kremlin.

He warned that it would leave Russian boats free to "fish for blue whiting, not only in Faroese but in UK waters".

"We would urge the UK Government to press the Faroese to act now," added Mr Gatt.