Spain’s king makes play for Gibraltar

BRITAIN: Gibraltar responded with fury yesterday after the King of Spain failed to acknowledge the territory’s right to determine its own future in an address to Parliament.

The monarch told British MPs he wanted a ‘‘dialogue’’ between Madrid and London on the status of the territory, in a snub to Gibraltar’s own democratically elected government.

The omission prompted Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, to warn that the issue of sovereignty was ‘‘not up for discussion or negotiation’’ as he accused King Felipe of ‘‘seeking to ignore’’ the wishes of people who live on The Rock.

Tory MPs reacted angrily to the king’s address, saying the future of the territory was ‘‘none of his business’’. However, they did not carry out a threat to leave as he was speaking.

The king told MPs and peers the future of Gibraltar would be determined by the ‘‘two governments’’ of the UK and Spain.

He said: ‘‘During our rich and fruitful history there has been also estrangement, rivalry and distance but the work and determination of our government, authorities and citizens have relegated such events to the past.

‘‘I am certain this resolve to overcome our differences will be even greater in the case of Gibraltar and I am confident that through the necessary dialogue our two governments will be able to work towards arrangements that are acceptable to all involved.’’

But Picardo said the king’s failure to acknowledge Gibraltar’s leadership ‘‘harks back to a time when the governments in Madrid and London might make decisions over the heads of the people of Gibraltar’’.

He said Spain was ‘‘seeking to ignore’’ Gibraltar and the territory should have the ‘‘most important voice’’ in any talks about its future.

He said Gibraltar would welcome any dialogue ‘‘as long as they obviate the issue of sovereignty, which as far as we are concerned is not up for discussion or negotiation’’.

Conservative MPs had raised the prospect of walking out of the address but decided against it. But Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said afterwards: ‘‘It is inappropriate for a visiting head of state to talk about ‘arrangements’ over British territory. It’s none of his business. The king must realise that there will never be a discussion with him that will lead to one inch of Gibraltar being ceded to Madrid.’’

Spain has long disputed the status of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, but UK Prime Minister Theresa May has previously insisted its future will not be up for discussion during Brexit talks with the EU.

Spain was accused of trying to use Brexit to make a ‘‘land grab’’ for Gibraltar after EU negotiating guidelines suggested it would be given an effective veto on whether the Brexit deal applies to the territory.

Damian Green, the First Secretary of State, reiterated the UK’s commitment to Gibraltar before the king’s address, telling MPs that ‘‘the primacy of the wishes of its inhabitants, which are overwhelmingly to stay British, will be respected’’.

The state visit was otherwise filled with pomp and pageantry yesterday, with King Felipe and Queen Letizia ceremonially welcomed by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Horse Guards Parade.

The Queen, duke and king are all descended from Queen Victoria and greeted one another warmly as they embarked on the first state visit by a Spanish monarch since 1986.

Speaking last night as she welcomed guests to the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, the Queen said the ‘‘dynamic’’ relationship between the two nations meant both nations would prosper, ‘‘whatever challenges arise’’.

‘‘With such a remarkable shared history, it is inevitable that there are matters on which we have not always seen eye to eye. But the strength of our friendship has bred a resilient spirit of cooperation and goodwill.’’

About 170 guests dined on poached salmon, a medallion of Scottish beef with bone marrow and truffles, and a dark chocolate and raspberry tart.

– Telegraph Group