Cbeebies cartoon rocks boat by implying Spanish ownership of Gibraltar

BBC criticised after children’s programme fails to mention peninsula is a British Overseas Territory

THE BBC has been accused of rewriting history in a Cbeebies programme that appears to teach children that Gibraltar is part of Spain.

In the episode of Go Jetters, broadcast in July, animated explorers Xuli, Kyan, Lars and Foz learn about the migration route of birds from Europe to Africa.

A voice-over says the animation characters are heading for the Strait of Gibraltar, which borders both Spain and Gibraltar, to watch a flock of storks take to the sky.

But later in the programme Lars says they are flying from “Spain to Africa”, making no distinction between Spain and Gibraltar. The group, Friends of the British Overseas Territories, that promotes their culture and history, has criticised the BBC for “failing to educate” the next generation.

Ben Brickley, a spokesman for the charity, said: “We are disappointed to hear that the BBC, which is a public service British broadcaster, has failed to identify the Rock as an integral part of our British family.

“The BBC has let its guard down and failed in educating the next generation about our far-flung, diverse and fascinating overseas territories.”

The BBC declined to comment. Britain has 14 overseas territories, that include Bermuda, Montserrat and Anguilla. Citizens have the right to hold a British passport and are entitled to consular assistance and protection provided by UK diplomatic posts.

Gibraltar, known to locals as “The Rock”, is a peninsula attached to southern Spain and has a population of around 30,000.

It was captured by Britain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession,

triggered by the death of the childless King Charles II of Spain.

In 1713, Gibraltar was ceded to Britain under the terms of the Treaties of Utrecht. It was reclassified from a “Crown Colony” to a “British Overseas Territory” in 2002, the same year Gibraltar residents rejected shared sovereignty with Spain in a referendum.

However, Spain has continued to claim sovereignty over Gibraltar and the centuries-old dispute has caused significant political tension.

Britain’s impending exit from the European Union has raised questions about Gibraltar’s future, particularly because it voted overwhelmingly Remain, with 96 per cent in favour.

Last year, Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, said his country would revive its bid for shared sovereignty once Brexit was delivered.

“We are going to resolve a conflict that has been going for over 300 years,” Mr Sanchez told a news conference after an EU leaders’ summit held in Brussels.