EU has treated Gibraltarians ‘shamefully’

GIBRALTAR has accused the European Union of treating its citizens “shamefully” over plans for a Brexit transition period.

The EU’S negotiating guidelines state that a separate, two-year transition period after Brexit will need to be negotiated between the UK and Spain.

British officials fear Spain will veto Theresa May’s Brexit deal if she refuses to negotiate a separate agreement.

Joseph Garcia, the deputy chief minister of Gibraltar, told Bloomberg TV: “For us, the view that Brussels has put forward is totally unacceptable. It is shameful that these pro-european people in Gibraltar should be treated by the European Union in this way.”

He said that the rights of Gibraltar’s citizens and tourists to cross the border with Spain must be protected.

The Prime Minister has vowed to protect Gibraltar in response to the threat of a veto from Spain. Earlier this week she said: “We and the EU have been clear that Gibraltar is covered by the withdrawal agreement. We’re not going to exclude it from negotiations.” It came after a Spanish government source told The Guardian: “I think the situation is crystal clear. This is what we are telling the Gibraltarians. If you want to have your existing status, you will have to talk with us.”

Mario Rajoy, Spain’s Prime Minister, said: “Whatever future agreement between the EU and the UK, there has to be an agreement between Spain and the UK for that to apply to Gibraltar.”

Britain’s position throughout the negotiation has always been Gibraltar is part of the UK and must be covered by any Brexit deal.