Cameron pledges 'UK will always stand up for Gibraltar' during meeting with chief minister
PRIME Minister David Cameron has pledged the UK 'will always stand up for Gibraltar' during a meeting with the Rock's chief minister Fabian Picardo today.
The Conservative leader issued his support for Gibraltar during a 10 Downing Street discussion surrounding the ongoing border dispute with Spain.
Mr Cameron said the population of the British Overseas Territory 'matters to us deeply' while talking to the leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party.
Spain have clamped down their border controls in Gibraltar resulting in queues up to seven hours following a dispute surrounding fishing waters.
Mr Cameron told Mr Picardo: "Britain will always stand up for Gibraltar. We will always stand up for the interests of the people who live in Gibraltar.
"It is something that matters to us very deeply."
The meeting came amid reports of increasing violence at the border in the past few days as angry commuters face long delays to get home.
Mr Picardo told Mr Cameron: "The people of Gibraltar know they have a friend in David Cameron and a friend in William Hague.
"That Gibraltar continues to be on your mind means a lot to us."
Mr Picardo also met with the Foreign Secretary Mr Hague to discuss the dispute.
The row erupted at the beginning of this month after Spain claimed Gibraltar had built an artificial reef in shared waters.
To retaliate Spain clamped down on their border controls causing huge backlogs of people trying to enter the rock.
Delays of several hours have continued along with claims of violence against Spanish police and Guardia Civil officers.
The Royal Gibraltar Police are investigating claims missiles were thrown at Guardia officers while the latter have organised protests at the border.
A statement from unions representing Guardia Civil officers said: "It seems cowardly and perverse to try and use the police and the Civil Guard in a conflict between the two countries.
"Staff from the two bodies, who were on the border with the British colony, were only acting in accordance with the law.
"Nothing can justify these acts against people who are only carrying out their duty."
Following the talks a Number 10 spokeswoman said: "The meeting reaffirmed the existing strong and historic bonds between the UK and Gibraltar and the Prime Minister repeated his commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Gibraltar.
"They discussed the unacceptable delays at the Spanish/Gibraltar border and agreed that these are damaging to the people and economies of Gibraltar and Spain.
"They agreed that efforts should remain concentrated on finding a diplomatic solution, in line with the Foreign Secretary's proposals last year for ad hoc dialogue."