Co-sovereignty ‘not an option’ - Manley

Gibraltar “is part of the UK” and its particular circumstances will be reflected in Britain’s exit deal from the EU, the UK’s ambassador to Spain said this week, adding that co-sovereignty was not an option.

Simon Manley made the comments in a wide-ranging interview on Brexit published by La Nueva España newspaper yesterday.

This was the latest in a series of interviews given by Mr Manley to the Spanish media on the UK withdrawal from the EU.

The interview covered many areas of the UK economic, social and cultural links with Spain and the possible impact of Brexit.

But, as has now become customary, the ambassador was also asked about Gibraltar.

Mr Manley’s response, as on previous occasions, was firm and clear.

“Gibraltar is part of the United Kingdom and will continue being so,” he said.

“The British Government and the people of Gibraltar have been very clear in underlining that we are not going to negotiate co-sovereignty with any other country.”

The reporter asked Mr Manley whether Gibraltarians would be more likely to consider co-sovereignty once they felt the impact of Brexit.

“We will reach an agreement with Europe to ensure that doesn’t happen and so that there is no impact either on the 7,000 Spaniards who work in Gibraltar,” Mr Manley replied.

“We don’t need any type of co-sovereignty.”