Gibraltar's Chief Minister has slammed concerns that the UK may lose sovereignty over the territory as "abhorrent" following warnings from a Commons committee that Brexit negotiations could leave Spain with too much power over its border.
The House of Commons' European Scrutiny Committee (ESC) had raised fears a deal - negotiations for which have rumbled on for months - would allow "the pendulum to swing too far in the direction of the EU".
But Chief Minister Fabian Picardo slammed MPs' "anxiety", adding anyone who tried to "take" British sovereignty from the rock would be met with a stern response - "No way, Jose", as he put it.
Picardo said: "The suggestion from the European Scrutiny Committee that I or any Gibraltarian Chief Minister or politician would sign up to terms that would weaken our sovereignty, control or jurisdiction over a single inch of the Rock is abhorrent to me and to all Gibraltarians.
"Were I to agree to even a hint of that, my cabinet and I would not survive walking even a single imperial yard down Main Street, Gibraltar," he added, in a letter to the Telegraph.
The ESC had called for negotiations to be put on ice last week until the Commons agreed on a deal which would help preserve British rule in Gibraltar.
Though a UK-EU deal is believed to be close, and Gibraltarian sources have sounded bullish, MPs had voiced their fears earlier this month when Overseas Territories Minister David Rutley admitted to them that European judges would be able to rule on disputes involving Gibraltar as a result of the deal.
A Government of Gibraltar source told GB News that while a deal was not yet done, "people will see it protects and enhances British sovereignty and does not in any way diminish it" upon completion.
MORE ON GIBRALTAR:
- EU commissioner sparks fury among Britons after claiming 'Gibraltar is Spanish'
- Ceding any of Gibraltar's sovereignty would set a precedent that Argentina could follow with the Falklands, historian warns
- Spain FORCES Red Arrows display in Gibraltar to be axed as it threatens retaliation following 'hostile act'
The source added that the deal would "protect the Gibraltarian economy and the right of the people of Gibraltar to determine their future and the right to remain British".
MPs had also raised concerns over plans to move the border of the EU's free-movement Schengen Area border to Gibraltar's airport, which would see European Frontex border guards handed control over Britons arriving and departing from the British territory.
ESC chairman Sir Bill Cash had said: "any role for Spain in the management of the airport or change to its status, no matter how seemingly small or innocuous, must be ruled out."
But again, the Government of Gibraltar source played down concerns over the airport, adding it would be part of the deal "without infringing our red lines".
The source echoed parts of Picardo's letter which counselled calm; the Chief Minister said: "I understand Parliament’s anxiety to know the terms and implications of any UK-EU agreement for Gibraltar that is reached... They will be satisfied.
"[Foreign Secretary] Lord Cameron and I are working in lock-step to secure the arrangements needed for the economy and wellbeing of Gibraltar and its surrounding region to flourish.
"Gibraltarians are the most dedicated and experienced guardians of Gibraltar's British, British, British sovereignty.
"And to anyone who tries to take that from us, my response has already been declared to the United Nations - 'No way, Jose!'"
