Gibraltar’s status pose a new disruption for Brexit

The 300-year Anglo-Spanish dispute over Gibraltar is again threatening to disrupt the Brexit process, as the EU prepares to brand the Rock as “a colony of the British Crown” in its legislation to cope with a no-deal exit.

Britain officials hit back at the “completely inappropriate” language to describe Gibraltar in a spat over the territory that underlines how it could still pose a serious obstacle to an orderly Brexit.

Some EU diplomats fear Madrid’s relentless pursuit of the “colony” reference is a sign that it will press for even more difficult concessions on Gibraltar if Britain reopens its Brexit deal, or requests to delay its March 29 exit date. “The Spanish are gearing up for a Gibraltar fight when there is an extension request,” said one senior EU diplomat. “It could be dangerous.”

After extensive negotiations that significantly delayed the progress of the legislation, Spain won support this week for adding a footnote regarding Gibraltar to a proposed EU law that would provide visa-free access to UK nationals if Britain leaves without a deal.

“Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown,” the text said, according to a copy seen by the Financial Times. “There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution has to be reached in light of the relevant resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly of the United Nations.”

via FT