Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo insists the Rock’s borders have not been surrendered after Britain agreed a new post-Brexit deal with Spain.
He was grilled by Nigel Farage on GB News about a series of realities like Spanish officials carrying out dual border control checks for arrivals at Gibraltar airport.
The Reform UK leader argued such a scenario makes the Rock “slightly less British” and represents another Labour surrender following the Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius.
“We have not surrendered and we would never surrender one grain of our land, one drop of our water or one breath of our air”, Picardo responded in firm fashion.
Nigel Farage grilled Fabian Picardo over what the deal means for the Rock
GB NEWS / PA
“We have not surrendered control of Gibraltar borders to anyone. Gibraltar’s borders will only be controlled by the Borders and Coast Guard agents of His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar.
“Just behind me this afternoon in Casemates Square, we have cheered three times for His Majesty the King’s birthday, and we have heard the national anthem played four times.”
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He then explained what the process will be when a Briton arrives at Gibraltar’s border.
“A British border guard will determine whether you can enter Gibraltar”, he said.
The deal was unveiled yesterday
GB NEWS
“You will then go on a cumulative check, the second check, which will be carried out by the Schengen authorities.
“That check will be carried out in an area which will be at the northern end of the Gibraltar Airport, which will be what we call the second line check area.
“This will be equidistant between Gibraltar and Spain. Gibraltar guards will have access to that area into Spain, and there you will get Schengen cleared.
“If you are a resident of Gibraltar, British resident of Gibraltar or any other nationality resident in Gibraltar, it will not be possible for a Schengen guard to deny you the right of return to Gibraltar.
“They will not be able to arrest you or detain you. We have done an excellent deal, which is what the people of Gibraltar wished for.”
Nigel appeared uneasy at the prospect of being stopped by a Schengen guard.
“That is what the people of Gibraltar voted for”, Picardo responded.
“We think that is, frankly, entirely acceptable because a British citizen that comes to Gibraltar, the vast majority of them, rightly use Gibraltar Airport to access the southern Spanish coasts.
Gibraltar joins EU free movement as Labour hands over control of border to SpainGETTY“After they walk through Gibraltar border guards, the next thing they do is go to a Schengen border guard who lets them in the Schengen area.
“We’re bringing that together.”
Nigel continued to express scepticism through facial expressions as Picardo continued to vehemently defend the deal which he says will ease border issues that have lingered with neighbouring Spain.
“Today, Spain controls 15 million movements across Gibraltar’s frontier”, he said.
The flag of Gibraltar, flies over the Foreign Office in Whitehall, London, during Gibraltar's National DayPA“If they choke us there, they can destroy our economy. In the future, she will control only the arrivals from third countries at Gibraltar’s airport, closer to 750,000 movements.
“This is the right deal for Gibraltar. That’s why I have a mandate from the people of Gibraltar.”
Nigel thanked Fabian for appearing on GB News to defend the deal before adding: “We’re big supporters of Gibraltar, don’t worry about that.”
A long-running dispute over the sovereignty of Gibraltar has long been the elephant in the room in post-Brexit discussions with Spain.
Spanish officials claim Gibraltar belongs to them after the UK took control of the territory in the early 18th century.
Both Tory and Labour governments have remained steadfast in their stance that the territory will not be given up to Spain.
The deal explicitly states the treaty will not impact sovereignty and ensures the UK has full operational autonomy for its military facilities.
The Government said: "Immigration and law and order in Gibraltar will remain the exclusive responsibility of Gibraltar's authorities.
"Spanish officials will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Schengen Area, in a model similar to French police operating in London's St Pancras station."
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