Negotiations with EU over Gibraltar border ‘no small issue’: MPs launch inquiry

10 Jun 2022 11:05 AM

The European Scrutiny Committee has launched an inquiry into the progress of the negotiations with the European Union over border and trade arrangements between Spain and Gibraltar.

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The move comes following news that ‘blue card’ holders – for British nationals who have temporary resident status in Gibraltar – are being refused entry into Spain without revealing the reason for their visit, where they’ll be staying, and the amount of cash they have.

The Committee had sounded the alarm several times over the last year about the importance of negotiations with the EU in evidence sessions with former Europe Minister Wendy Morton, Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, and current Europe Minister James Cleverly.

The Committee have also published correspondence from Mr Cleverly specifically on the issue of people being stopped at the border by Spanish authorities. In it, the Minister appears to downplay the scale of the problem.

Chair's comment

Committee Chairman Sir William Cash said, “While we are pleased the issue of Spain’s management of the border is now on the Minister’s radar, this is no small matter. The 3,000 people the problem effects equates to nearly 10% of Gibraltar’s population.

With no sign of an imminent agreement, we have decided to open an inquiry into the UK’s negotiations with the EU over future trade arrangements and checks at the Spain-Gibraltar border.”  

Gibraltar’s trade and border arrangements were not covered in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement – the trade deal signed between the UK and the EU when the UK left the block. Instead, a temporary arrangement was agreed at the 11th hour, a deal that has no formal footing.

It had been hoped that a deal would be brokered by the end of 2021, but negotiations are still ongoing.

Terms of Reference

The Committee’s inquiry will look at the following issues:

Further information