Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken has said the status of Gibraltar should not be included in Brexit negotiations.
Mr Aiken was commenting after draft negotiating guidelines published by the EU Council stated that any decisions affecting Gibraltar would have to be approved by Spain.
Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“The inclusion of Gibraltar in the European Council’s draft negotiating guidelines irresponsibly raised the temperature before Brexit negotiations have even begun.
“It is disappointing that the EU Council would seemingly give in to the sabre-rattling of the Spanish Government.
“Negotiations with the EU on the terms of the UK’s withdrawal should be focused on recognising our common interests in terms of trade and security, not fighting centuries old battles over sovereignty.
“As the First Minister of Gibraltar has said, Gibraltar belongs to the Gibraltarians and they overwhelmingly want to stay British. Indeed, the idea of shared sovereignty with Spain was firmly rejected by 99 percent of Gibraltarians via a referendum.
“I welcome statements made by the Government in recent days that Gibraltar will not be on the table in the negotiations, and the sovereignty of Gibraltar will not change.
“The principle of consent should apply just as much to the people of Gibraltar as it does to the people of Northern Ireland, and the UK Government should stand four-square behind them.”
ENDS