Franco ‘very worried’ about Brexit impact on La Linea

La Linea mayor Juan Franco admitted yesterday that he was “very, very worried” about the impact of the Brexit vote on cross-border workers and businesses in the Spanish town.

Sr Franco spoke to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo immediately after news of the vote filtered through.

He also convened a meeting of cross-party spokesmen to ensure his council adopted a unified approach in the coming days.

“We are in 'terra incognita',” he said. “We don't know what will happen.”

“At first glance, the outlook is one of uncertainty and the perspectives are not optimistic.”

“We have to hope that this difficult situation is going to be redressed in a sensible solution, in a way that maintains the same economic level for Gibraltar.”

“I hope Brexit will not be a catastrophe, but right now I’m very, very worried.”

Sr Franco said that the outcome of tomorrow’s general election in Spain was critical, adding that he hoped a new government could be formed as soon as possible in Madrid.

He said he would seek a cross-party agreement to propose “a plan B” for La Linea to the new government once it was in place.

“The truth is I'm very concerned about the Spanish workers in Gibraltar, as well as our small and medium businesses whose activities are dependent on Gibraltar now,” he said.

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