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Gibraltar-Spain Border Checks
14 October 2024
Lead MP
Anneliese Dodds
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Brexit
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Anneliese Dodds raised concerns about gibraltar-spain border checks in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Government are aware that late on Thursday 10 October, Spanish border officers increased checks on permanent residents of Gibraltar crossing into Spain from Gibraltar. The change in process involved stamping the passports of all non-EU nationals crossing the border and went against informal bridging measures since EU exit. This led to some disruption until Spain resumed usual border arrangements swiftly. My hon. Friend contacted his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Sampedro, regarding this issue. We remain committed to finalising a UK-EU agreement for Gibraltar as soon as possible, securing future prosperity and ensuring the people of Gibraltar are content with terms. The Government will work hard to mitigate impacts if an agreement is not possible. Today marks Gibraltar Day, celebrating links between Gibraltar and the UK.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
Question
The shadow expresses concern over the Blair Government's joint sovereignty deal with Spain without Gibraltarians' consent. He warns of extreme measures and a hard border, stressing moral and constitutional issues if Spanish boots are on British soil. Any agreement must acknowledge Gibraltar’s 100% British status, upholding self-determination.
Minister reply
The Minister regrets the tone but emphasises respect for overseas territories’ sovereignty rights. The UK Government is confident in British sovereignty over Gibraltar, including territorial waters, and will never enter negotiations against Gibraltarians' wishes.
Glasgow West
Question
Will the Government always support the people of Gibraltar and their interests?
Minister reply
Absolutely. The UK Government underlines its commitment to sovereignty, focusing on ensuring it aligns with regional needs, including today’s discussion by the Foreign Secretary with Spanish counterparts.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Question
Joined in mourning for Alex Salmond, the MP expressed concern over recent border checks by Spanish police and urged clarity on discussions between Foreign Secretaries regarding these incidents. He also questioned whether Spain was taking note of UK’s decision regarding BIOT to exert pressure on Gibraltar's negotiations.
Minister reply
Confirmed that no central directive from Spanish authorities initiated the increased checks, but they were raised with them at ministerial level. Rejected the comparison between BIOT and Gibraltar, asserting a unique context for each. Emphasised commitment to double lock on sovereignty.
Tim Roca
Lab
Macclesfield
Question
Asked if British sovereignty over Gibraltar is not up for negotiation.
Minister reply
Confirmed that UK Government will never enter into arrangements against the wishes of Gibraltarians or negotiate a process without their consent.
James MacCleary
Lib Dem
Lewes
Question
Asked about assurances from Spain regarding future border incidents during ongoing negotiations and emphasised the importance of Gibraltar's self-determination.
Minister reply
Agreed on the need for concluding EU-UK treaty as soon as possible to bring certainty and secure prosperity, while emphasising commitment to double lock.
Kevin Bonavia
Lab
Stevenage
Question
Asked for assurance that tensions arising from border incidents are being addressed to ensure smooth daily lives of Gibraltarians.
Minister reply
Emphasised the importance of ensuring smooth daily lives and interests of Gibraltarians.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Question
Suggested that Spanish pressure on Gibraltar was inevitable after Chagos deal, questioned Labour's credibility regarding Gibraltar’s sovereignty.
Minister reply
Regretted the militaristic undertones and referenced comments by a Chief Minister criticising such claims as being about party politics rather than sovereignty issues.
Gregor Poynton
Lab
Livingston
Question
Asked if actions seen recently risk damaging economies of both Gibraltar and Spain, emphasising the need for cooperation.
Minister reply
Agreed on the importance of avoiding incidents that could affect regional economies.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Question
Asked if Gibraltar is better off with current Tory Brexit deal compared to EU membership.
Minister reply
Emphasised the importance of progressing on UK-EU deals focused on issues like movement of people and goods, without speaking for Gibraltarians.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Question
My constituents are proud to be British, just as the people of Gibraltar are, and I join the Minister in acknowledging Gibraltar Day. I am afraid, though, that some in this House have not listened to her responses. Will she be as clear as possible, in answering my point, that this Government will only ever stand with the people of Gibraltar for as long as they want us to stand with them?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question, and the clearest answer that I can give is yes, yes and yes.
Jessica Brown-Fuller
Lib Dem
Chichester
Question
Last week, my mother was desperately trying to get out of Gibraltar and back to the UK to be with my grandmother, who had suddenly turned very ill and was receiving end-of-life care. The plane she was due to get on diverted to Malaga due to adverse weather conditions, but the border was closed to the passengers, stranding British citizens in Gibraltar, with no rescheduled flight and no offer of accommodation... Will the right hon. Lady advise, taking into account the challenges that Gibraltar airport faces, what steps she is taking to ensure that British passport holders facing emergencies can cross the border into Spain and return home swiftly?
Minister reply
I know the whole House would want to send our very best wishes to the hon. Member’s grandmother and that it regrets the really difficult situation that her family was placed in... We recognise the disruption and will continue to make many representations to ensure that those who should be able to smoothly exit and enter Gibraltar can do so in the future.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
There is no doubt about it: last week, the Spanish authorities sought to hold the British people of Gibraltar hostage by putting in border controls and disrupting their travel. One should not be surprised by that... Can the Minister give us an assurance that she will not be giving in to the bullying, bribery or attempts by the Spanish Government and the EU to once again put their imprint on British territory?
Minister reply
I am afraid I have to wholly reject the claims made by the right hon. Member... The United Kingdom will never enter arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
The unforced surrender of the Chagos islands casts a long shadow, does it not? Are we seriously to believe that the timing of the Government of Spain’s action in respect of Gibraltar has nothing to do with the unforced error that the Government have committed in recent days... Is it not the case that this Government will always put ideology, virtue signalling and post-colonial guilt ahead of the defence and security of this country?
Minister reply
I am disappointed by the tone of the right hon. Gentleman’s claims... The United Kingdom is steadfast in its commitment to Gibraltar, its people and its economy.
Al Pinkerton
Lib Dem
Surrey Heath
Question
Negotiations on Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status are well advanced but are not without their hurdles... Can the Minister assure the House on Gibraltar Day that the wishes of Gibraltarians will always be paramount in the ongoing negotiations; that the Government have taken the opportunity to remind all parties that the lives and livelihoods of Gibraltarians and others should never be used as leverage in the negotiations, however inadvertently or locally applied they may be; and that, for the sake of the people and communities of Gibraltar and La Línea, this will never be allowed to happen again?
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Member for his question... We remain steadfast in our support for Gibraltar and will agree only to terms that the Government of Gibraltar are content with in a deal.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
The right hon. Lady talks about the negotiations, but the problem is that the Government do not have a great track record on negotiations... What did they get from the train driver negotiations but a lot of very cold pensioners? What did they get from the negotiations on the Chagos islands? They appear to have given away sovereign territory and paid for the privilege. How can we trust this Government with the safety of Gibraltar?
Minister reply
The peculiar and unfounded analogy that those on the Conservative Benches appear to be attempting to draw has been rejected by those living in those overseas territories, who can see this for what it is—party politicking.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
The Minister said that the Spanish authorities had assured the Government that the aggressive actions taken at the border were not centrally approved... When the Spanish authorities attempt to insert themselves into Gibraltar, might they not be concluding in consequence that the UK Government are a soft touch when it comes to sovereignty?
Minister reply
I believe that the UK Government could not have been clearer in our representations on this matter, including to the Spanish Government. The UK ambassador to Spain called on the Spanish Ministry of the Interior as well to inquire about this change in approach.
Gregory Stafford
Con
Farnham and Bordon
Question
Does the Minister not agree that the reality is that a low-level border guard at the Gibraltarian-Spanish border would not implement this without at least knowledge and tacit consent from Madrid. Given that, how can she continue to negotiate with Spain if it continues this low-level aggression at the border?
Minister reply
It is important that we ensure that we negotiate to obtain the treaty that is needed... The Government have made progress on those negotiations, and we will continue them in earnest.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
Question
The Minister has told us that a local border official unilaterally imposed the restrictions. If that is the case, can the Minister outline exactly what guarantees the Government have received from the Spanish Government that such powers will not be localised and that local officials cannot impose powerful restrictions on Gibraltarians and Spanish people seeking to work in Gibraltar?
Minister reply
Ensuring the fluid movement of people across the Gibraltar-Spain land border is a top priority for the UK Government... The UK Government and the Government of Gibraltar are committed to ensuring that this continues, and it will continue to be critical for the representations that we will continue to make to the Government of Spain.
Shadow Comment
Andrew Rosindell
Shadow Comment
The shadow criticises Labour for attempting a joint sovereignty deal with Spain behind Gibraltarians' backs during Blair's tenure. He warns of potential hard border implementation and its negative impact on both Gibraltar and Spain. The Spanish weaponisation of the frontier is morally reprehensible, aiming to exercise authority over sovereign British territory. Any agreement must fully acknowledge Gibraltar’s 100% British status. The Gibraltarians have rejected any suggestion of Spanish sovereignty through their votes. The Government must raise this incident with Madrid urgently, never capitulate on negotiations allowing Spanish boots on Gibraltarian soil, and guarantee steadfast loyalty to Gibraltar.
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