The prime minister should take charge of fisheries negotiations in Brussels and challenge plans for big cuts in white fish catches, according to the Conservative Party leader.

During a visit to Arbroath, Iain Duncan Smith urged Tony Blair to intervene and accused the European Commission of playing countries against each other.

Fishermen's leaders have warned that thousands of jobs are under threat due to the European Union proposals.

Wives of fishermen are due to meet European Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler next week to ask him to reconsider.

Iain Duncan Smith: Fishing industry needs help

The Tory leader said: "With 40,000 jobs at risk and listening to these fishermen with their livelihoods at stake, the prime minister has to take charge.

"He has to say 'enough is enough' to the European Commission and that is the message I will be taking back."

The Scottish Fishermen's' Federation (SFF) spent Friday morning debating the latest EC move, which would reduce the proposed 80% cut in catches of North Sea cod and haddock to 70%.

But the SFF said it believed the revised figure would still devastate the industry.

Alex Smith, of the SFF, said: "They (the EC) will buy-off other member states and isolate the UK.

Court move

"They have done this in the past with blue whiting and with the deep water species. So this looks like it's going to happen again."

The EC may face a challenge to its quota plans in the European court.

The MEP who chairs the European Parliament's fisheries committee aims to delay the process and force the EC to receive approval for its plans.

Struan Stevenson said: "The commission cannot take this proposal to the Council of Ministers in two weeks' time without the permission of the European Parliament.

Alex Smith: "Buy-off"

"I am of a mind to withhold that permission. I have spoken to colleagues from other member states and they're prepared to back me on this."

Meanwhile, fishermen's wives who marched on the Scottish Parliament to present a 44,000-signature petition to protest cuts are to meet the European fisheries commissioner.

The Save our Fishing Communities Campaign will present Mr Fischler with a video diary of how the cuts may impact on Scotland's industry.