Spanish navy ship sails into Gibraltar waters

Spain accused of sulking by sailing close to the Rock shortly after UK imposes 14-day travel quarantine

A Gibraltar Squadron vessel had to shadow a Spanish navy warship after it sailed into the UK territory’s waters. It is understood the 1,200-ton Spanish navy vessel was a mile inside Gibraltar’s territorial waters, where it remained “for 45 minutes or so” on Tuesday, before it was escorted away by the Royal Navy. It came soon after Britain announced a two-week quarantine on arrivals from Spain, which Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, called “unjust”.

THE former first sea lord has accused Spain of displaying “egregious” behaviour by sailing a warship in Gibraltarian waters after the UK’S recent imposition of quarantine on the country. Admiral

Lord Admiral West spoke as Gibraltar Squadron’s HMS Pursuer had to shadow the Spanish Navy Ship Serviola P-71 in Gibraltar waters on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph understands the 1,200-ton Spanish navy vessel was a mile inside Gibraltar’s territorial waters, where it remained “for 45 minutes or so”, before it was escorted away by the Royal Navy.

Lord West said the timing fell “rather neatly” as it came shortly after Britain announced a two-week quarantine on tourists returning from a Spanish holiday, which Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, called “unjust”. The

Cabinet’s coronavirus committee decided to reimpose quarantine on arrivals from Spain after learning 10 Britons had tested positive. The British Government is now considering telling everyone who has come into the UK from Spain since July 23 to take a test.

Lord West said Spain “basically think it’s unnecessary and they are annoyed it’s happening”. Suggesting the incident was no coincidence, he called on the EU to investigate a “flagrant breach of an ancient treaty” and urged other nations to back the UK by telling Spain “this is not the way to behave”. “The [Spanish] are making a point all the time but this was more egregious,” he said. “They are not at all happy with the fact that Gibraltar is not Spanish.”

Bob Seely, who sits on the defence select committee, said: “If this is linked to the imposition of quarantine then it’s childish and silly of the Spanish and frankly they should know better. They are allies and should work together rather than being petulant and sulky.”

A naval source said the ship “looked like it was on passage and was not manoeuvring unnecessarily” and labelled the interception “regular monotony”.

It is thought the incident was the 19th time a Spanish warship breached the British territory this year and came after an announcement by the Ministry of Defence that it was to invest £9million to build two new patrol boats, to replace the current Gibraltar Squadron fast patrol craft.

Jeremy Quin, the defence procurement minister, said: “These new vessels will enable the Royal Navy to maintain the security of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and protect British, Nato and allied ships transiting through the region. This contract will also support highly skilled jobs across the UK.” The Telegraph has contacted the Spanish embassy for comment.