Foreign Secretary David Lammy is in Gibraltar ahead of a potential post-Brexit deal with Spain.
Ever since the UK left the EU, the situation in the British Overseas Territory has been up in the air, with London, Madrid and Gibraltar all engaged in negotiations on a path forward.
Spain disputes the UK’s ownership of the territory, which is located on the south of the Iberian peninsular opposite North Africa.
Known for its strategic importance at the entrance to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is also home to an RAF base.
Mr Lammy arrived in Gibraltar overnight on a ministerial plane.
A government spokesperson told Sky News last night: “The foreign secretary is in Gibraltar to meet chief minister Fabian Picardo to discuss the latest on negotiations, as all sides look to conclude an agreement as soon as possible.”
It is possible a deal could be announced in Brussels at some point in the future.
Foreign secretaries visiting Gibraltar is unusual, with the last official visit appearing to have been from Dominic Raab in March 2021.
Mr Picardo was in London last week to discuss negotiations with UK ministers.
Local media has reported that a deal could be announced “imminently”. Earlier on Tuesday, the EU proposed removing Gibraltar from its list of “high risk third countries” when it comes to money laundering.
If a deal is announced on Wednesday, it would coincide with the UK government’s spending review.
Any agreement would be closely scrutinised by eurosceptics in Reform and the Conservative Party, who have criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s EU reset deal and the handing over of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Gibraltar’s First Minister Fabian Picardo. Pic: Reuters
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