Defiant May goes to war over the future of Gibraltar
THE centuries-old dispute over Gibraltar is threatening to halt Brexit negotiations after the EU yesterday backed Spain’s claim to the British territory.
Brussels chiefs sparked a diplomatic feud after including a veto for Madrid over the Rock’s future in their list of Brexit negotiating demands.
UK politicians accused the EU of orchestrating a ‘shameful’ attempt to inflame the historic territorial wrangle.
Despite Theresa May’s insistence Gibraltar would not be used as a political pawn, the EU said Spain should be given a say over any future decisions relating to the territory.
The move threatened an early breakdown in negotiations after EU officials said they would not remove the clause. It also infuriated MPs, who said Britain ‘must not be bullied’ into compromises by Spain. Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, of the all-parliamentary group on Gibraltar, said: ‘British people must and will stand together, we cannot be bullied by Spain. Any agreement must apply equally to the whole British family and that includes Gibraltar. There can be no compromise on this.’
Jack Lopresti, Tory chairman of the allparty group, said: ‘It’s predictable given Spain’s previous behaviour, they would try to use Brexit as a fig leaf for trouble-
making. It is shameful that the EU have attempted to allow Spain an effective veto over the future of British sovereign territory.’
Madrid has already indicated it would block a deal over aircraft landing rights in Gibraltar, which could see flights grounded.
The decision to include the veto in the negotiating guidelines produced by European Council president Donald Tusk followed intense lobbying by Spanish diplomats.
EU sources also revealed Brussels has decided to depart from its current neutral position over the dispute following the Brexit result, and will now take Spain’s side on Gibraltar.
One EU official said: ‘The Union will stick up for its members and that means Spain now.’
Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, said: ‘What we are seeing is a clear manifestation of the predictably predatory attitude that we anticipated Spain would seek to abusively impose on its partners.’
On Wednesday, Mrs May said: ‘We are absolutely steadfast in our support of Gibraltar, its people and economy.’