Straw accused of 'sell out' on Gibraltar sovreignty

The Government today faced Tory charges of a "sell out" over Gibraltar after Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Britain and Spain should share sovereignty over the colony.

In his most explicit statement yet on the progress of talks between Britain and Spain, Mr Straw told the Commons that after 12 months of negotiations the two governments were "closer than ever before to overcoming nearly 300 years of fraught history".

He stressed: "A better future for Gibraltar – more stable, more secure and more prosperous – is too important to let slip."

Mr Straw, who had to postpone talks due to be held today with Spain over the future of Gibraltar, faced Opposition fury when he outlined the broad agreement reached so far on the principles that should underpin a "lasting settlement".

The first of these, he said, was that "Britain and Spain should share sovereignty over Gibraltar, including the disputed territory of the Isthmus".

Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram furiously denounced the statement which he said was an admission that British and Spanish governments were in broad agreement on sharing sovereignty.

"This is what we have feared has long been cooked up in the dishonourable talks – a shabby and dishonourable process."

Mr Straw had to postpone, until after the summer, a trip to Madrid today after the abrupt sacking of Foreign Minister Josep Pique.

He told MPs the status quo was "damaging Gibraltar because Gibraltar will not thrive while the dispute festers and its people have to put up with everyday disruption.

"The dispute is also damaging to Britain's interests because we are trying to build a strategic alliance with Spain to help deliver the EU we both seek ... "

Mr Straw stressed: "The only way of securing for Gibraltar a stable and prosperous future is through a comprehensive and permanent settlement.

"And that means an agreement with Spain on all issues – including sovereignty."

Significant progress had been made in the first phase of the talks, to agree the principles for a permanent settlement.

"After 12 months of negotiation, we and Spain are in broad agreement on many of the principles that should underpin a lasting settlement."

To Opposition protests and shouts of "sell out!", he said these included: "Britain and Spain should share sovereignty over Gibraltar ...

"Gibraltar should have more internal self–government. Gibraltar should retain its British traditions, customs and way of life.

"Gibraltarians should retain the right to British nationality and gain in addition the right to Spanish nationality as well."