The GSLP/Liberals have described the recent incursion by a Spanish Navy vessel into Gibraltar waters as “a frontal challenge” to British sovereignty over the Rock’s territorial sea.

The Opposition said the operational activities of the fisheries protection vessel Tarifa near Gibraltar were “totally unacceptable”.

It urged the British Government to tackle the matter immediately.

“It is obvious that Spain has chosen to raise the stakes over its claim to the sovereignty of our waters by moving from words to action,” the Opposition said in a statement.

It added: “This latest incident is far more serious than anything that has happened before.”

“It represents a frontal challenge to British sovereignty, jurisdiction and control over Gibraltar’s territorial sea and as such the United Kingdom must not only respond to Spain, but must also extract guarantees from Madrid that it will never happen again.”

In the statement, GSLP/Liberals said the incident was “clearly part of a continuing campaign” by Spain to undermine British sovereignty over Gibraltar waters.

“While Spain has traditionally put forward the ridiculous argument that Gibraltar has no waters, [it] has not actively challenged British sovereignty by behaving to all intents and purposes as if Gibraltar’s waters were Spanish,” the statement said.

The Spanish vessel entered Gibraltar waters and lowered a small boat to inspect Spanish fishing boats in the area.

The Royal Navy attended the scene and, although details of what unfolded at sea remain unclear, the Spanish vessels eventually left the scene.

The Royal Gibraltar Police was not present during the incident, though the Opposition claimed yesterday that it had been called.

“It is not known why the RGP did not attend the call,” the GSLP/Liberals said. “However, the Opposition understands that it used to be the Gibraltar Services Police marine section that would normally be mobilised in support of the Royal Navy, until it was disbanded recently.”