Gibraltar becoming Spanish is 'wishful thinking,' says Tory

 
14 August 2013
WEST END FINAL

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A senior Spanish official was accused of “wishful thinking” today after saying he was confident his country would eventually take control of Gibraltar.

Spain’s director general for foreign affairs Ignacio Ibanez was discussing the row over tough border checks which his country has placed on the British territory.

Speaking on Channel 4 News he said: “We are confident that in the end that we will have Gibraltar as part of Spain.”

Tory MP John Baron, who sits on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, today criticised Mr Ibanez’s remarks.

He said: “I think this is wishful thinking. This smacks of a country desperate to divert attention away from its domestic political and economic woes. The people of Gibraltar have spoken in a referendum and our position is absolutely clear that Gibraltar will remain British.”

The most recent row over Gibraltar was triggered after the territory’s authorities created an artificial reef which Spain claims will destroy fishing in the area.

Madrid reacted by beefing up the border controls — a move which has led to lengthy queues — proposing a £43 fee for vehicles crossing the border and suggesting that Spanish air space could be closed to flights to Gibraltar.

The dispute has coincided with a “routine” Royal Navy exercise which saw type 23 frigate HMS Westminster leave Portsmouth for Gibraltar yesterday.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “Self-determination matters more than territorial integrity. The people of Gibraltar have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain under British sovereignty.”

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