Spain is calling for tougher legal guarantees on Gibraltar to be included in Britain’s exit treaty from the EU, a move that could complicate the UK’s drive to agree a deal in the next two months.
The socialist government of Pedro Sánchez wants the UK’s withdrawal treaty to include a so-called “protocol” on the disputed British territory, a request that goes beyond the original plans of EU negotiators, according to people close to the talks.
The issue was discussed with Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, in meetings with Mr Sánchez and Josep Borrell, Spain’s foreign minister, in Madrid on Monday.