Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Gibraltar 2025-06-12

12 June 2025 · 21 other contributors

Opened by David Lammy Lab Labour

Northern IrelandBrexitForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

David Lammy raised concerns about gibraltar 2025-06-12 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • UK reached a political agreement with the EU to resolve the last major issue from Brexit.
  • The agreement protects British sovereignty over Gibraltar.
  • Without the agreement, passports would be checked at the border and customs checks would be imposed on British goods heading to Gibraltar.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

David Lammy

Today, the United Kingdom reached a political agreement with the European Union to resolve the last major unresolved issue from our decision to leave the EU. This deal removes another obstacle to closer ties with our EU friends and protects British sovereignty over Gibraltar. Without this solution, every individual’s passport would be checked at the border, and all British goods heading for Gibraltar’s supermarket shelves would face time-consuming customs checks. Since 2021, there have been 19 formal rounds of talks involving Britain and Gibraltar to address these issues. The agreement ensures that traffic can flow without checks on people crossing, residents can go about their daily lives, and flights from Gibraltar airport can operate across Europe, driving growth and jobs for the people of Gibraltar.

Other contributors (21)
  • Priti Patel Con Witham

    Question

    When will the House get to see full details of the deal and treaty? Will a draft be available before signing?

    Minister reply

    The Foreign Secretary acknowledged that parliamentary time will be made available for debate. He did not specify when the full details would be available, but he committed to providing the necessary scrutiny opportunities.

  • Priti Patel Con Witham

    Question

    Have the red lines set by the previous government been met?

    Minister reply

    The Foreign Secretary acknowledged his predecessor's work and took time to reflect on it, securing this outcome. However, he did not provide a direct answer regarding whether the red lines have been fully met.

  • Priti Patel Con Witham

    Question

    Will there be assurances that Spain will stop disrupting the border?

    Minister reply

    The Foreign Secretary did not give specific commitments but acknowledged the need for a fluid border and stated that Gibraltar’s sovereignty, economy, and way of life have been protected.

  • Emily Thornberry MP Lab Islington South and Finsbury

    Question

    I congratulate the Foreign Secretary on reaching this agreement which seemed impossible after Brexit. However, I urge the Government to reconsider the CRaG process for parliamentary scrutiny as it is outdated and inadequate for modern governance.

    Minister reply

    I thank my right hon. Friend for her remarks. While we will follow the CRaG process, we are committed to ensuring that Parliament has adequate time to scrutinise the treaty thoroughly.

  • Helen Maguire MP Lib Dem Epsom and Ewell

    Question

    Our hope is that this new agreement will work to the genuine benefit of Gibraltarians, leaving no lingering questions over Britain’s sovereignty. Will the Minister commit to bringing the deal before the House for a vote and outline the timeline?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Lady is right about the need for scrutiny. We are committed to ensuring that Gibraltar remains sovereign and will provide the opportunity for parliamentary review as soon as possible.

  • Phil Brickell MP Lab Bolton West

    Question

    May I congratulate the Foreign Secretary on getting this landmark agreement over the line? Will he confirm what further measures he is taking to strengthen relationships with overseas territories?

    Minister reply

    I am glad my hon. Friend mentioned overseas territories. We are conducting a review of our relationships and strengthening ties through initiatives like the meeting we had at the end of last year.

  • James Cleverly MP Con Braintree

    Question

    To save time, will he let us know whether the European position moved closer to ours or if we moved closer to theirs during negotiations?

    Minister reply

    We maintained our red lines and ensured that Gibraltar's interests were protected throughout the negotiations.

  • Lizzi Collinge Lab Morecambe and Lunesdale

    Question

    The hon. Member acknowledges that this deal is a great opportunity to deepen relationships between the people of Gibraltar, Spain, and Britain.

    Minister reply

    Absolutely, the new arrangement will be beneficial for families living in Andalusia near the Gibraltar border who can now move freely without checks.

  • David Lammy Lab Tottenham

    Question

    Does the Foreign Secretary agree that this is a win-win situation?

    Minister reply

    Indeed, it is a positive outcome for both businesses and families who will now be able to move freely between Gibraltar and Spain without facing checks.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Question

    Does the sovereignty clause inserted into the agreement mean that Spain absolutely recognises the sovereign relationship between Britain and Gibraltar?

    Minister reply

    Yes, Spain does recognise Gibraltar's sovereignty as part of the United Kingdom in the treaty, but I cannot comment on extreme political elements in Spain.

  • Emma Foody Lab/Co-op Cramlington and Killingworth

    Question

    How will we ensure the smooth implementation of this agreement?

    Minister reply

    We will work at pace on the treaty, but I cannot give a specific timeline due to legal technicalities.

  • Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire

    Question

    Can a British citizen be stopped by Spanish officials when landing in Gibraltar?

    Minister reply

    There will be joint border control with a second line queue and Spanish border guards, but they do not have an effective veto over entry.

  • Joe Powell Lab Kensington and Bayswater

    Question

    Will the future EU-UK agreement include a section on anti-money laundering?

    Minister reply

    Yes, Gibraltar has made progress in this area and we intend to take it forward.

  • Ashley Fox Con Bridgwater

    Question

    Will time be allowed for scrutiny of the deal by both Houses of Parliament and the Gibraltar Parliament?

    Minister reply

    Yes, this is an important aspect of leaving the EU and we will ensure appropriate parliamentary scrutiny.

  • Sean Woodcock Lab Banbury

    Question

    Will the agreement provide new opportunities for growth in trade for Gibraltar businesses?

    Minister reply

    Yes, there is palpable excitement among businesses about the new opportunities arising from this deal.

  • Richard Tice Reform Boston and Skegness

    Question

    Do Spanish officials have a veto over entry to Gibraltar?

    Minister reply

    No, British citizens would be handed back to the Gibraltar authorities if there is an alert.

  • Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire

    Question

    Will members of the British armed forces landing in Gibraltar have to prove their identity?

    Minister reply

    No, absolutely not. Spain understood the importance of this requirement and it is secured.

  • Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham

    Question

    Will no other Spanish authority, such as customs officials, have any authority on Gibraltar?

    Minister reply

    No other Spanish authorities will have jurisdiction over the Rock except for the joint border control arrangement.

  • Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

    Question

    It is clearly in the best interests of Spain and Gibraltar for there to be a free flow of individuals backwards and forwards across the border. For UK citizens who fly into Spain or Gibraltar and hire a car to cross the border into Gibraltar or Spain, what checks will there be at the border? Clarity on that point would help.

    Minister reply

    The clarity is that there will no longer be any checks. If they fly into Spain, they are flying into the Schengen area. If they fly into Málaga, they are free to drive to Gibraltar without checks—they would already have had those checks. The same applies in the other direction.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement, but I must ask a question given the similarities between Gibraltar and Northern Ireland. The sovereignty issues faced by Northern Ireland in terms of European overreach on borders mean that Northern Irish people will feel anxiety about this agreement. Will the Secretary of State outline what consideration has been given to the views of Gibraltarians, and what consultation was held regarding the policy of a foreign nation on their soil?

    Minister reply

    I reassure the hon. Gentleman that our position of “nothing about Gibraltar without Gibraltar” gave those guarantees, and no meetings were held—certainly not under this Government or, I am quite sure, under the previous Government either—without the Chief Minister in the room, so that they were happy. We would not have had a deal were they not happy; there would not have been a deal were the Chief Minister not able to stand up and say, “I am happy with this deal.” That was the guarantee we gave.

Shadow Comment

Priti Patel

The shadow Foreign Secretary paid tribute to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his team for working constructively with Ministers in the previous Conservative Government. She acknowledged her party's principles that nothing compromises or infringes on the sovereignty and constitutional arrangements of Gibraltar, which must remain British. The deal must be backed by the Government of Gibraltar and Gibraltar’s people to support their interests and address concerns about Spain's actions. Patel asked when the House will get to see the full details of the deal and the treaty, whether red lines set by the previous government have been met, and for assurances that games played by Spain disrupting the border will never happen again.

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