BRITISH ambassador in Spain Giles Paxman has been called upon to give explanations after Guardia Civil officers caught a UK naval patrol boat's crew using the Spanish flag as target practice off the coast of Gibraltar.

Brother of BBC reporter Jeremy, Giles – who was appointed to his post last month – met with members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid yesterday.

According to minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, members of the British Royal Navy were seen firing shots at a buoy bearing the colours of the Spanish flag on Tuesday at around seven miles off the southernmost part of the Rock, known as the Punta Europa.

Paxman (pictured) stated that “despite appearances, the buoy did not represent the Spanish flag.”

He considers it unlikely that those involved in the target practice would not have related the mere fact that the buoy was red and yellow to the Spanish flag.

But given the historically strained situation between Spain and the UK over sovereignty of the Rock, Paxman conceded that the incident was 'insensitive' as well as 'an error of judgment'.

The ambassador stressed that he would call for a full investigation into the situation and take the necessary steps to prevent its recurrence.