On Tuesday, speaking at a press conference as the two-day leaders’ summit at Cop26 drew to a close, Mr Johnson told reporters: “Since you ask about whether the UK has changed its position … on the fishing issue, the answer is no.”

It is understood Mr Macron sought a one-to-one meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday but their teams were unable to find a mutually convenient time. The French president left Glasgow early while the leaders’ meeting was still going on, but Mr Johnson declined to say on Tuesday night whether he thought that was a snub.

Attempting to keep the focus on tackling climate change, the Prime Minister said the fishing row was “really vanishingly unimportant” in comparison. He added: “We are working very, very closely with our French friends and partners on the things that matter most to the people of the world – and that is tackling climate change, reducing CO2.”

Technical discussions over the rejected fishing licences continue between EU and UK officials on Wednesday, with France demanding answers over when 14 French vessels would be granted permits.

A European Commission spokesman said: “It’s positive and reassuring to see contacts aiming at a positive solution.”

Annick Girardin, France’s maritime minister, also signalled that “boat-by-boat” discussions, which have been taking place for some months, were approaching the finishing line, with as few as 27 now left to rule on.

On Tuesday, she told French MPs that the British response to French demands for 14 licences in UK coastal waters must be delivered at a “conclusive meeting” on Wednesday and urged the Jersey authorities to move “very quickly” in issuing 13 permits.

It came as Jersey prepared to speed up approvals for another “five or six” French permits, expected to be finalised this week, on top of 49 additional temporary licences granted last week.