British sovereignty over Gibraltar remains "sacrosanct", the foreign secretary has said, after the UK agreed a deal with the European Union over the territory's post-Brexit future. David Lammy told the House of Commons the agreement included a clause "explicitly protecting our sovereignty". The deal removes checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border. However, some MPs raised concerns Spanish border officials would be able to deny entry to UK citizens flying into the British Overseas Territory. For travellers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will be carried out by both Gibraltarian and Spanish officials. This is similar to the system in place for Eurostar passengers at London's St Pancras station, where travellers pass through both British and French passport control before boarding international trains. This means it will be possible for arrivals to continue their travel from Gibraltar into Spain and the rest of the EU without further checks. But Lammy insisted Gibraltar would not be joining the Schengen free travel area - 26 European states that have abolished passport control at their mutual border so people can travel freely. Schengen countries also have common rules on asylum and countries whose nationals require visas. Lammy said it was "fake news" that Gibraltar would be joining Schengen and "this was never on the table". "Immigration, policing and justice in Gibraltar will remain the responsibilities of Gibraltar's authorities," he added. Talks on the rules governing the border between Spain and Gibraltar - a 2.6 square mile headland to the south of the country - have been ongoing since the UK left the EU in 2020. The issue had been a key sticking point, which has remained unresolved since Brexit. MPs broadly welcomed the deal, which has been hailed as "historic" by Gibraltar, Spain and the EU. Giving a statement in the Commons, Lammy said Labour was "solving the problems leftover from the last [Conservative] government and their thin Brexit deal". He added that the deal "removes another obstacle to closer ties with our EU friends" and "provides much needed certainty for people and businesses in Gibraltar". An estimated 15,000 people cross the Gibraltar-Spain border every day for work and leisure. Currently, Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped, while Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID card. But there were concerns this would end with the introduction ofthe EU's Entry/Exit system later this year, causing huge delays at the border. Lammy said without a deal every passport and all goods would need to be checked leading to "chaos and backlogs, endangering livelihoods of British citizens in Gibraltar, wrecking the territory's economy and possibly costing hundreds of billions of pounds a year, placing pressure ultimately on the UK taxpayer to pick up the bill". The next step is for a full legal text to be finalised, which Lammy said all parties were "committed to completing as quickly as possible". The Conservatives have said they will examine the the final treaty to ensure it meets their red lines, including that it safeguards the sovereignty and rights of Gibraltarians. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel also questioned whether Spanish officers would be able to stop British citizens coming to stay in Gibraltar. Lammy insisted the only difference to what Conservative ministers had previously been negotiating was the sovereignty clause, which he said would ensure there was no question over Gibraltar's status. The UK has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, although this is disputed by Spain, who claim the territory as their own. Public opinion in Gibraltar, which has a population of around 32,000, is in favour of keeping British sovereignty. The most recent referendum, held in 2002, saw almost 99% of voters reject a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain. The UK said there would also be full operational autonomy for the UK's military's facilities in Gibraltar, where the airport is run by the Ministry of Defence and hosts an RAF base. Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Helen Maguire welcomed the agreement, while calling for Parliament to get the opportunity to scrutinise and vote on it. However, Reform UK have described the deal as a "surrender". Deputy leader Richard Tice raised concerns Spanish border officials would have "an effective veto" on British citizens from the UK landing in Gibraltar. Lammy clarified that if there was an alert in relation to an arrival Spanish border guards and police would work alongside Gibraltarian police. An individual would have the right to legal advice and be able to either return to their country of origin or go to Spain to face questions. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletterto keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
No threat to British sovereignty over Gibraltar deal, says Lammy
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Foreign Secretary Affirms Gibraltar's Sovereignty After EU Deal"
Bbc News
7.7
TruthLens AI Summary
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has assured that the sovereignty of Gibraltar is firmly protected in the recent agreement reached with the European Union regarding the territory's future post-Brexit. Speaking in the House of Commons, Lammy emphasized that the deal includes a specific clause safeguarding British sovereignty over Gibraltar, countering concerns raised by some Members of Parliament (MPs) about potential entry restrictions for UK citizens arriving in Gibraltar. The agreement facilitates the removal of checks on goods and people crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border, allowing for smoother travel. For passengers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will be conducted by both Gibraltarian and Spanish officials, a process akin to the passport control system utilized by Eurostar passengers at St Pancras station in London. However, Lammy clarified that Gibraltar will not be joining the Schengen Area, which allows free movement among its member states, and he dismissed rumors to that effect as 'fake news.' Immigration and policing will remain under the jurisdiction of Gibraltarian authorities, ensuring that local governance remains intact.
The deal, described as 'historic' by stakeholders including Gibraltar, Spain, and the EU, is seen as a resolution to a longstanding issue that has persisted since the UK's exit from the EU in 2020. Lammy noted that the agreement is crucial for providing certainty to the people and businesses of Gibraltar, where approximately 15,000 individuals cross the border daily for work and leisure. He pointed out that without this agreement, the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit system could lead to significant delays and chaos at the border, adversely affecting the economy of Gibraltar and potentially costing the UK taxpayer. While the Conservative Party has expressed intentions to scrutinize the final treaty to ensure it aligns with their red lines regarding sovereignty, there remains some apprehension among opposition members regarding the implications of Spanish border officials having authority at the border. Lammy has committed to finalizing the legal text of the agreement swiftly, hoping to alleviate uncertainties that have lingered since Brexit. Public sentiment in Gibraltar strongly favors maintaining British sovereignty, as evidenced by a 2002 referendum in which almost 99% of voters rejected the idea of sharing sovereignty with Spain.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant development regarding Gibraltar's sovereignty in relation to the recent agreement between the UK and the European Union. This news comes in the context of ongoing concerns about the implications of Brexit for Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory. The assurances given by Foreign Secretary David Lammy aim to reaffirm the UK's commitment to maintaining sovereignty over Gibraltar, which has been a contentious issue since the Brexit vote.
Sovereignty Reaffirmed
The article emphasizes that British sovereignty over Gibraltar is "sacrosanct" and includes specific clauses to protect this sovereignty within the new deal. This reassurance is likely targeted at both domestic and international audiences, aiming to quell any fears of a shift in control. By framing the agreement as protective rather than compromising, the government seeks to instill confidence among constituents who may be worried about the implications of Brexit on Gibraltar.
Concerns Over Border Control
Despite the positive aspects of the agreement, concerns were raised by some Members of Parliament regarding Spanish border officials' involvement in passport checks at Gibraltar airport. The article notes that this dual-check system could create complications for UK citizens traveling to Gibraltar, echoing fears related to national security and immigration control. By acknowledging these concerns, the article presents a balanced view, although it ultimately reassures readers that Gibraltar will not join the Schengen Area.
Response to Brexit Fallout
The article mentions that talks on Gibraltar's border rules have been ongoing since the UK's exit from the EU, highlighting Brexit's long-term impacts. By depicting the current government as actively resolving issues left by the previous Conservative administration, Lammy positions the Labour Party as a proactive force in addressing post-Brexit challenges. This narrative may serve to bolster Labour's image as a responsible and effective governing body.
Public Perception and Political Implications
The framing of the agreement as "historic" by various stakeholders, including Gibraltar, Spain, and the EU, suggests an effort to create a sense of accomplishment around the deal. Additionally, the article notes that the majority of MPs welcomed the agreement, which could indicate a shift in public perception towards a more favorable view of the government's handling of Gibraltar-related issues.
Potential Economic and Social Impact
The removal of checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border could have significant implications for trade and travel, potentially boosting the local economy. However, the dual passport checks could also deter some travelers, which may impact tourism negatively. The government’s ability to navigate these complexities will be crucial in maintaining social and economic stability in the region.
Target Audience
This news piece likely appeals to a range of stakeholders, including residents of Gibraltar, UK citizens with interests in the territory, and political analysts observing Brexit's unfolding consequences. It aims to reassure those worried about Gibraltar's future while also appealing to national pride regarding sovereignty.
Manipulative Elements
While the article does provide a generally balanced account, the language used to describe the agreement may downplay the complexities involved. By labeling dissenting views as "fake news," there is a potential for manipulation, as it seeks to invalidate legitimate concerns surrounding the implications of the deal.
In conclusion, the overall reliability of the news article seems high, as it presents factual information alongside varying perspectives. However, the framing choices and language used could indicate a slight bias towards reinforcing government narratives. The intent behind this news appears to be to reassure the public about the government's commitment to Gibraltar's sovereignty while maintaining an optimistic outlook on post-Brexit relations.