No10 dismisses Spanish demand for control of Gibraltar airport

Downing Street today dismissed a demand from Spain to take effective control of Gibraltar’s airport.

Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman warned that the UK would not allow anything that ‘compromised sovereignty’ amid wrangling over post-Brexit arrangements.

Talks have been going on over the status of the overseas territory – which has a land border with Spain – since Britain left the EU. 

In theory it is outside the bloc’s customs union and not under free movement rules, but Madrid has granted a temporary exemption for workers and tourists to avoid disruption. 

There now appears to be a standoff over a Spanish proposal that would mean it having jurisdiction over Gibraltar’s airport – which is on an RAF base

Earlier this year there were hopes that a deal was close to establish a common travel area with EU’s Schengen zone, removing the need for most border controls.

But there now appears to be a standoff over a Spanish proposal that would mean it having jurisdiction over Gibraltar’s airport – which is on an RAF base.

‘The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate,’ Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, told The Times.

There are also tensions over the role of Spanish police.

‘We have reached a formula which would mean Frontex (the EU border agency) would manage the border on behalf of the EU, overseen by Spanish officials,’ Mr Steel said.

‘What does ‘overseen’ look like? We must ensure that it doesn’t stretch into sovereignty that it does not exceed what we can accept in terms of jurisdiction and control.’

The situation has been added an extra edge because a snap election is due to be held in Spain – which has always claimed Gibraltar – on July 23. 

The PM’s spokesman made clear that ceding control of the airport would undermine Gibraltar sovereignty. 

‘We remain a steadfast supporter of Gibraltar and we are not going to do anything to compromise sovereignty.’

The PM’s spokesman made clear that ceding control of the airport would undermine Gibraltar sovereignty (pictured, Main Street in Gibraltar)