UK Government Ensures Gibraltar’s Future in Treaty Negotiations with EU: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Rutley’s Commitment

“As an important part of the UK family, we are always committed to supporting Gibraltar. Today, with Prime Minister Fabian Picardo, we have been working hard to conclude a Treaty with the European Union that will ensure the future of Gibraltar and the surrounding area,” said David Rutley through his networks on Thursday.

So the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs emphasized the spirit of cooperation with the authorities of Gibraltar, after the meeting he held that day with the leader of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, who also spoke at length with the head of the Foreign Office, David Cameron.

“I met with David Cameron and David Rutley to discuss the latest issues that have arisen in the negotiations with the EU. We will not fail to ensure that British sovereignty is protected in form and substance in all material respects and is not eroded in any way. Gibraltar is British. We will never accept anything that diminishes that. However, we will look for the best practical solutions to deal with the problems that Brexit is creating for us.”

The two responded, to a large extent, to the request made by the European Control Committee of the House of Commons, chaired by Sir William Cash, which has urged the British Government to delay the negotiations because of the the future agreement could be a threat, from his point of view, to British sovereignty over the Rock.

Yesterday, it emerged that David Rutley, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has insisted that any deal on Gibraltar would “preserve the operational autonomy of the military bases” on the Rock.

In response to written questions from Tory MP Greg Smith, Rutley said the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defense had reviewed this process and were unsure of their judgment. case He also said that Ministry of Defense officials are fully involved in the discussions.

In his writing, Rutley also insists that the UK Government is clear that the people of Gibraltar have a right to self-determination: “The UK will never enter into agreements where sovereignty goes to another State against her will”.

In the last few days, through social networks, messages have grown aimed at creating a social alarm about the possible increase in crime in the Rock, if the Gate is gone. Internal pressures among British conservatives are growing but Rishi Sunak’s government seems prepared to contain them.