Emma Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Europe Minister, responding to Mariano Rajoy’s comments on Gibraltar, said:

“Far from being an anachronism, as Mr Rajoy has claimed, Gibraltar is a fully self-governing part of the European Union, and has the right to self-determination.

“The previous Spanish government was committed to speaking to both the British and Gibraltarian governments and it is disappointing that this measured approach has been discarded in Madrid and replaced by language and actions designed to escalate the disagreement between Spain and Gibraltar.

“It is regrettable that the Spanish government has caused a completely unnecessary border crisis. Mr Rajoy should remember the Spanish government’s treaty obligations under EU law and end the border dispute.”