The UK’s sovereignty over Gibraltar remains inviolable, the foreign secretary affirmed following a post-Brexit agreement with the European Union. David Lammy MP assured the House of Commons that the accord explicitly safeguards British sovereignty.
This agreement eliminates border checks for people and goods crossing between Gibraltar and Spain.
However, concerns were raised by some MPs regarding potential Spanish border official refusal of entry to UK citizens arriving at the British Overseas Territory’s airport.
Passport control for air travellers will be conducted jointly by Gibraltarian and Spanish officials, mirroring the system at London St Pancras for Eurostar passengers.
This facilitates seamless onward travel from Gibraltar to Spain and the EU without further checks.
Lammy emphatically stated that Gibraltar will not be joining the Schengen Area, dismissing claims to the contrary as “fake news”. He reiterated that immigration, policing, and justice will remain under Gibraltarian control.
Negotiations on the Spain-Gibraltar border regulations, a key unresolved issue since Brexit, have concluded after ongoing discussions since 2020.
The deal, lauded as “historic” by Gibraltar, Spain, and the EU, has received broad parliamentary support. Lammy highlighted Labour’s role in resolving “problems leftover from the last government and their thin Brexit deal”.
He emphasized the deal’s contribution to stronger EU ties and the much-needed certainty it provides for Gibraltarian residents and businesses. Approximately 15,000 individuals cross the border daily.
While Gibraltarians currently use residence cards and Spanish citizens use ID cards, concerns arose about potential delays with the EU’s Entry/Exit System launching later this year.
Lammy stressed that without the agreement, comprehensive passport and goods checks would cause chaos, harming Gibraltarian livelihoods and potentially costing billions.
The final legal text is pending, with all parties committed to its swift completion. Conservatives will scrutinize the treaty to ensure it upholds Gibraltarian sovereignty and rights.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel questioned Spanish officials’ potential to bar UK citizens from entering Gibraltar. Lammy clarified that the only difference from previous negotiations is the explicit sovereignty clause.
The UK’s sovereignty over Gibraltar, dating back to 1713, remains disputed by Spain. Gibraltar’s populace overwhelmingly supports maintaining British sovereignty, as evidenced by a 2002 referendum.
The agreement ensures full operational autonomy for UK military facilities in Gibraltar, including the Ministry of Defence-run airport and RAF base.
While the Liberal Democrats welcomed the agreement, calling for parliamentary scrutiny, Reform UK criticized it as a “surrender”, with concerns over Spanish officials’ potential veto power.
Lammy clarified that in case of alerts, Spanish and Gibraltarian authorities will collaborate, ensuring individuals’ rights to legal counsel and options for return or facing questions in Spain.
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