Nov 19 - Lidington ‘Strongly Condemns’ 21 Hour Incursion by Spanish Oceanographic Vessel
With the Spanish Oceanographic Vessel RV ‘Ramon Margalef’s surveillance of the bay lasting over 20 hours, despite warning from the Royal Navy for the ship to leave BGTW, both the Gibraltar Government and Europe Minister David Lidington have insisted that the incursion was intolerable.
The Minister explained that when challenged by radio the vessel responded that it was conducting survey work with the permission of the Spanish authorities and in the interests of the European Community. ‘This comes only two weeks after dangerous manoeuvres by a Spanish Guardia Civil vessel in the vicinity of Royal Navy vessels in British waters put lives at risk and resulted in a minor collision,’ he added.
The Government says that it is “incredible” that the Opposition should “have the cheek to start nitpicking” at the housing programme of the Government when the present situation, they say, stems directly from the failure of the previous GSD administration to provide houses for in a timely manner.
Sky News has just reported that the Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom has been summoned after a Spanish survey vessel repeatedly ignored warnings to leave British Gibraltar Territorial Waters both yesterday evening and today.
