MP pledges support for Gibraltar retaining its British status
"They don't want to be Spanish"
Havant MP Alan Mak has pledged his support for Gibraltar retaining its British status.
He made his views clear during a meeting with Jonathan Scott, the Gibraltar Government's UK representative and head of Gibraltar House in London.
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula next to Spain, is home to a British military garrison and naval base.
It has been ruled by Britain since 1713, although it is self-governing in all areas except defence and foreign policy.
The UK has been negotiating with the EU and Spain to finalise a post-Brexit Treaty that allows the free movement of goods and people across the border with Spain.
But Spain continues to claim sovereignty over Gibraltar and this long-running territorial dispute shows no signs of ending.
Meanwhile the Labour Government's intention to surrender sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, another British Overseas Territory, to Mauritius has set a precedent that will not have escaped Spain's notice.
Mr Mak said: "Gibraltar has been under British rule for more than 300 years and Gibraltarians are British citizens. They don't want to be Spanish and I fully support Gibraltar continuing to be a British Overseas Territory."