Extracts from a statement today by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar

Following the comment make by the Spanish PM about Gibraltar within the context of Britain's EU withdrawal negotiations, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picrdo, issued a statement in response today which doesn't pull any punches.

He thanked British PM Theresa May for her support and made very clear that Gibraltar and Britain stand firm against any attempt to remove Gibraltar from the withdrawal agreement or use it to leverage Spanish sovereignty over the Rock.

Here are some extracts from the statement

"My dear fellow Gibraltarians,

Ahead of the Special European Council in Brussels tomorrow, I have held an extraordinary session of the Gibraltar Cabinet this evening.

Tonight, I want to be clear with you all about what the current situation is.

A few moments ago I took a call from Prime Minister Theresa May. The message I deliver to you tonight, in respect of the position of the United Kingdom, comes direct from my conversation with her."

"Every aspect of the response of the United Kingdom was agreed with the Government of Gibraltar."

"The United Kingdom has not let us down. Theresa May has not let us down.
She has stood firm. We have stood firm."

"The UK has made clear that it is negotiating for the whole UK family – and whether Mr Sanchez likes it or not, that includes us.

That will be good for individuals and businesses not just in Gibraltar, but in the whole region. We will not be cleaved out from the British family in these negotiations.

We will not be peeled away from our precious British sovereignty for access to a common market. Our main market is the United Kingdom. Our access to it is already guaranteed.

So let us be clear: Pedro Sanchez has achieved no guarantees whatsoever in respect of the future of Gibraltar. But I can guarantee Pedro Sanchez one thing in respect of the future of Gibraltar.

It is an entirely British future that will suffer no dilution. It will be a prosperous future in which businesses will have the market access they need to flourish.

"The Government of the United Kingdom has been completely firm in its resolve and in our support."

"We do not need to wait until the start of the talks.

I can tell Spain now.

We are not interested in any dilution of our sovereignty, We are not interested in allowing for even the remotest concession to Spanish sovereignty, jurisdiction or control.

As the Prime Minister has today herself reconfirmed, the sovereignty is Gibraltar is and will remain entirely British."

You can read the full statement here.

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