Shadow International Secretary Priti Patel claimed: “A Treaty draft has been agreed, however Labour ministers should not bringing it to Parliament but.”
Nigel Farage slams Chagos Islands deal
Outrage is simmering over claims that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has struck a take care of the EU and Spain which might erode British sovereignty over Gibraltar. Tory heavyweights are slamming the transfer, which has echoes of the contentious handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, as a “dodgy cover-up,” warning it arms unprecedented powers to Spanish and EU officers whereas sidelining UK Parliament.
The bombshell comes amid fears Gibraltar – a strategic British Abroad Territory seized from Spain in 1704 and held underneath the Treaty of Utrecht since 1713 – might face border controls policed by Madrid, limiting entry for British nationals and subjecting the Rock to EU legal guidelines. Shadow International Secretary Dame Priti Patel mentioned: “A Treaty draft has been agreed, however Labour ministers should not bringing it to Parliament but.”
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Shadow International Secretary Dame Priti Patel (Picture: Getty)
“We already know that the claims beforehand made by Labour concerning the inclusion of sovereignty clauses have fallen aside, whereas there are additionally severe issues concerning the powers the Spanish and EU will have the ability to train and the bounds that could possibly be positioned on British nationals visiting Gibraltar.”
She advised GB Information: “That is inflicting uncertainty that have to be addressed by Labour publishing the Treaty so we will assessment and scrutinise it. With Labour searching for to reverse Brexit with their so-called EU reset, till they arrive clear with the treaty, it’ll appear to be they’re concerned in a dodgy cover-up and have one thing to cover.”
Polls present Gibraltarians overwhelmingly favour British rule, however Dame Priti warned: “Labour has severe inquiries to reply concerning the Treaty they’ve negotiated.” With the EU Council eyeing a signature in six weeks, calls for for transparency are mounting. Tories vow to battle what they concern can be a “give up” by Sir Keir, branding it one other Brexit betrayal.
The 700-page treaty, negotiated in secrecy, is about for EU launch this week, however British MPs stay in the dead of night. Shadow Minister Wendy Morton blasted the method as “outrageous,” insisting: “For this Labour Authorities to depart MPs with none probability to learn by means of a 700+ web page doc and remark as the general public would anticipate is totally unreasonable.”
The deal allegedly stems from a February 10 briefing the place Gibraltar’s authorities confidentially up to date its opposition on the settlement. Assume tank Facts4EU, which shared particulars with the outlet, revealed the EU Fee plans to fast-track the pact as “EU-only,” bypassing ratification by all 27 member states for faster enforcement.
The deal allegedly stems from a February 10 briefing the place Gibraltar’s authorities confidentially up to date its opposition on the settlement. Assume tank Facts4EU, which shared particulars with the outlet, revealed the EU Fee plans to fast-track the pact as “EU-only,” bypassing ratification by all 27 member states for faster enforcement.
This follows Labour’s June 2025 concession permitting Spanish guards to police Gibraltar’s border, introducing twin checks for air arrivals and committing to EU-aligned guidelines on state assist, taxation, labour, setting, and anti-money laundering. Critics argue this drags Gibraltar into the EU’s orbit, with the UK footing the invoice for regional “cohesion” and coaching.
The controversy mirrors the Chagos debacle overseen by Sir Keir, the place the PM faces calls to reverse the sovereignty switch amid U.S. issues over a key army base. Gibraltar hosts a significant UK naval facility on the Mediterranean’s gateway, heightening stakes.
Regardless of pledges from ex-International Secretary David Lammy for full parliamentary scrutiny, Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds confirmed the deal’s completion in a Madrid assembly, saying: “The Treaty will clearly be revealed shortly… I’m delighted and happy that the settlement has been reached.”
An FCDO spokesperson mentioned: “The Minister of State for Europe, North America and Abroad Territories, Stephen Doughty, gave a briefing on the Treaty to the Shadow International Secretary as not too long ago as January 12. The UK is continuous to work alongside the Authorities of Gibraltar to finalise the treaty textual content, and now we have persistently made clear that the Treaty can be laid earlier than Parliament for scrutiny within the regular means, as soon as it has been finalised.”
Specific.co.uk has additionally contacted the Gibraltarian authorities for remark.
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