Gibraltar’s representation at the Labour Party Conference continued yesterday evening with the Gibraltar Reception hosted by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and featuring a keynote speech by the UK Minister for Europe and the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty MP.
Foreign Secretary of the Uk Government, William Hague, yesterday updated Parliament on the situation in Gibraltar. His statement was as follows:
‘Since 26 July, attempts by the Spanish government to exert pressure on Gibraltar and its people have increased significantly. Disproportionate and time-consuming checks have been introduced at the Gibraltar-Spain border, leading to delays of up to seven hours.
Despite the release of Foreign Secretary William Hague’s statement to Parliament yesterday evening, detailing how unjust the Spanish frontier measures had become, queues this morning once again saw both vehicular and pedestrian traffic stalled to a halt as beret clad Guardia Civil officers, hailing from Seville, clamped down on customs checks.
Motorbikes were hit the hardest with Guardia Civil checking vehicular documents and passports. The peak times for these stringent checks appear to be during the mornings’ busiest hours, including 7 – 8 am and then 10 – 11 am when many cross frontier workers struggle to get to work on time.
Race Across Europe Team, Phoenix, have this week made great progress, despite rain and poor weather. The team are extremely close to crossing the French – Spanish border and are expected to reach the Europa Point finish line in the next couple of days.
Race organisers Greenrock are today displaying information on the race at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre.