Earlier today, Bob Neill MP asked an Urgent Question in the House of Commons about the unauthorised incursion of a Spanish vessel into British territorial waters at the entrance to Gibraltar Harbour on 19 November 2013.
Speaking in the Chamber, Bob Neill, said:
“This is just the latest incident in an escalating and cynical campaign of harassment against the people of Gibraltar, by the Government in Madrid, for its own domestic reasons.
“…It is now time, not only to make strong diplomatic representations, but also to take specific action by taking legal action through the international courts, for the clearest possible breach of international law, and also to discuss with Her Majesty’s Government in Gibraltar the possibility of reinforcing the naval presence that support our forces in Gibraltar.”
Members from across the House joined Bob Neill in criticising the Spanish Government’s illicit and dangerous posturing. There were widespread calls for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to adopt a more robust stance in reaction to this latest incident.
Responding to the Urgent Question, the Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs Minister, Mark Simmons MP, confirmed that the British Government had serious concerns about this “unlawful incursion” into British territorial waters. He said:
“According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the waters around Gibraltar are indisputably British territorial waters, under UK sovereignty, in which only the UK has the right to exercise jurisdiction…
“…The British Government strongly condemns this provocative incursion and urges the Spanish Government to ensure that it is not repeated. We stand ready to do whatever is required to protect Gibraltar’s sovereignty, economy and security…
“…[t]he Spanish Government are wrong to believe that they can advance Spain’s position on sovereignty by increasing pressure on Gibraltar; whether at the border or through unlawful incursions by other actions, such as complaints and posturing at the EU.”
Notes
1. URGENT QUESTION - Robert Neill MP - 20 November 2013
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the unauthorised incursion of a Spanish Naval vessel into British territorial waters at the entrance to Gibraltar Harbour on 19 November 2013.
2. Today’s question follows a more general Westminster Hall sitting yesterday, in which Bob Neill spoke. Transcripts of the debate can be found here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2013-11-19a.281.0&s=speaker%3A13736#g283.2