Gibraltar cautions Spain over "quixotic" incursion by warship
Gibraltar's leader on Monday said an incursion into British waters by a Spanish warship at the weekend was a quixotic attempt at intimidation but that the people of Gibraltar would stand up to bullies both before and after Brexit on March 29.
"Anyone who believes in the rules-based international legal order will have been shocked by the cavalier and quixotic actions of the Spanish military vessel at the weekend," Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, said in a statement.
"This childish behaviour is unsatisfactory whether it is errant or directed from above," Picardo said. "The people of Gibraltar won't be bullied now or after the 29th of March."
Picardo said the Spanish vessel sailed through Gibraltar's waters with her weapons uncovered.
There was no incursion by Spanish naval forces during an incident near Gibraltar at the weekend, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday.
Gibraltar said that a Spanish warship tried to order commercial shipping to leave anchorages in British waters near Gibraltar on Sunday but was challenged by the British navy and sailed away.
"There was no incursion on this occasion. We are certain of our sovereignty over the whole of Gibraltar, including British -Gibraltar territory waters, and any incursions are a violation of sovereignty, but not a threat to it ," the spokesman said.
Published: by Radio NewsHub