The betrayal of Gibraltar: Anger at Starmer’s ‘surrender deal’ with EU that hands Spain control over territory’s border
Sir Keir Starmer was accused last night of striking another ‘surrender’ deal after handing over control of Gibraltar’s border to the European Union.
The agreement means Britons travelling to the peninsula could be refused entry by Spanish guards enforcing the EU rules – despite it being a British Overseas Territory.
The arrangement was made to enable the border to fully re-open between Gibraltar and Spain, which is crossed by thousands daily living either side to get to work or visit friends and family.
Britons travelling to the territory at present face an initial passport check carried out by Gibraltar officials but they would face a second check carried out by Spanish border officials on behalf of the EU.
It means Britons could be rejected if they do not meet strict Schengen Area rules.
For instance, post-Brexit Britons cannot stay in the EU for longer than 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
It raises the prospect of UK travellers needing to obtain an EU visa to visit a British territory if they have exceeded their 90-day allowance, or they face being refused entry at the border.
A specific post-Brexit agreement, covering the territory and to keep the Spain-Gibraltar border open, was needed because, at Madrid’s insistence, it was not part of the wider EU-UK trade pact struck after Brexit. It was also not included in Sir Keir’s ‘reset’ deal unveiled last month.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo agreed the new deal in principle in Brussels yesterday. Pictured: Lammy and Picardo in a social media clip
Pedestrians and drivers cross the border from Spain to Gibraltar, in front of the Rock of Gibraltar, in La Linea de la Concepcion, southern Spain, June 4, 2024
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo agreed the new deal in principle in Brussels yesterday.
But Brexiteers warned that the Falklands could be next following Sir Keir’s controversial Chagos Islands ‘surrender’ deal.
Tory Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: ‘First Chagos and now Gibraltar – and then probably the Falklands, too. This Europhile, human-rights obsessed Government can no longer be trusted to robustly defend any of our overseas interests, as this further needless concession to Spain shows.
‘Labour used to sing The Red Flag – now they just wave a big white one instead.’
David Jones, former Brexit minister, said: ‘There is no reason why British people visiting their own territory should be providing passports to foreign entities. This is contrary to Britain having sovereignty over Gibraltar.
‘The Spanish have wanted to get their hands on Gibraltar ever since the Treaty of Utrecht [which handed Britain sovereignty in 1713] – it’s a vitally important asset to us.
‘It has thousands of our citizens living there and people visiting their own territory should not have to present passports to foreign officials.’ Former home secretary Suella Braverman said: ‘Another surrender and a hand-over in all but name. It is unforgivable. The Falklands will be next.’
The text of the treaty is yet to be finalised and published.
Sir Keir Starmer was accused last night of striking another ‘surrender’ deal after handing over control of Gibraltar’s border to the European Union
However, Government sources insisted ‘nothing will compromise the way the Armed Forces operate’ at the strategically important RAF Gibraltar military base next to Gibraltar Airport.
They insisted residents of the Rock will not be affected by the changes. As well as re-opening the Spain-Gibraltar border for people, the deal also removes goods controls, allowing for them to be traded more smoothly.
Mr Lammy said: ‘This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar’s economy and way of life under threat. Today’s breakthrough delivers a practical solution after years of uncertainty.’
Downing Street said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had, in a phone call, congratulated Sir Keir over the Gibraltar deal, claiming ‘his government had succeeded where others had failed’.
