Cash: EU's Gibraltar tactics are shameful
Sir Bill Cash has condemned the EU for using 'shameful tactics' in attempting to make Gibraltar a bargaining chip in its Brexit negotiations.
The Eurosceptic Tory MP for Stone said the Government would continue to support Gibraltar, which emerged as a potential issue after draft EU negotiating guidelines suggested Spain would have a veto over the British overseas territory's participation in a future deal.
He insisted there would be no change to Gibraltar's sovereignty as a result of the Brexit negotiations, and added: "There is absolutely no way we are going to allow Gibraltar to be a pawn in these negotiations.
"It has its own sovereignty and it is unthinkable that we will give way to these shameful tactics from the EU.
"This is a disgraceful attempt to use Gibraltar as a bargaining chip. The EU and Spain can try all they like to exercise leverage, but rest assured it will not work."
It came after Lord Howard compared the situation to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands which led to war with the UK.
He said: "Thirty-five years ago this week, another woman prime minister sent a taskforce halfway across the world to defend the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanish-speaking country, and I'm absolutely certain that our current Prime Minister will show the same resolve in standing by the people of Gibraltar."
However, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee chairman Dominic Grieve dismissed the idea that Spain would seek to use force to take back Gibraltar.
"I don't think I would have expressed myself in the terms that Michael Howard did, because it sounds a little bit apocalyptic," he said.
"We have no evidence at the moment that the Spanish government would seek to invade and take over Gibraltar."
Spain’s foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, has played down the issue.
“Someone in the UK is losing their cool and there’s no need for it,” he said, referring to Lord Howard's comments.
"Making comparisons with past situations like the Falklands is a little out of context.
"The Spanish government is a little surprised by the tone of comments coming out of Britain, a country known for its composure."
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said there would be no change to Gibraltar's status without the consent of its people.
Theresa May has spoken to Gibraltar's leader, Fabian Picardo, to reassure him the UK remains 'absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit'.
Spain has a long-standing territorial claim on Gibraltar, which has been held by the UK since 1713 and has the status of a British overseas territory.
