BRITISH prime minister Theresa May's Brexit deal has been approved by the remaining EU-27 after Spain lifted its veto following a series of new clauses covering Gibraltar.
Spanish president Pedro Sánchez says the country is now in a stronger position vis à vis the Rock, whilst members of the opposition in British Parliament – and even in Mrs May's own paty – have accused her of 'betrayal'.
European Union Brexit delegate Michel Barnier and European Council president Donald Tusk announced duing the presentation of Mrs May's deal that after the UK left the 'club', Gibraltar would 'not be included in the territorial scope' of any agreements made between the EU and Britain.
They also stated that any additional deal concerning Gibraltar and its economy would necessitate a 'prior agreement' from Spain.
Sánchez translated this as Spain being 'a fundamental pillar' of the Gibraltar-EU relationship, and pointed out that both the European Council and European Commission had supported Spain over issues relating to the Rock 'as never before'.
He added that during the 'basic negotiations' in the future, Spain and the EU would 'have to talk about joint sovereignty' and 'many other things' – undefined as yet – with Britain.
This has already caused ripples among British politicians – Clare Moody, Labour MEP for Gibraltar, referred, ironically, to the situation as 'remarkable', saying the prime minister had 'gone to Brussels to concede further text...before we have even left'.
Tom Brake, spokesman on Brexit for his party and MP for the Liberal Democrats – a political outfit totally against Brexit and fighting to stop it – criticised Mrs May for 'caving in'.
He says she has 'cast aside' the people of Gibraltar, who have always maintained they want to stay fully British, in 'her desperate bid' to seek approval for her 'disastrous deal'.
Theresa May's fellow Tory Andrew Bridgen said it 'appeared there was no-one' the prime minister 'would not betray' to get her 'sell-out deal' past the post.
But Mrs May stresses that the UK retains full claim to Gibraltar's sovereignty and that it had no intention of ever changing its position.
Brexit was set to cause serious problems for Spaniards and Spanish residents in the province of Cádiz who commute every day to Gibraltar for work, since it could have led to customs and passport queues on their morning and return journeys and even problems getting into or out of the Rock to do their jobs or go home at the end of the day.
