Corbyn vows to 'KEEP GIBRALTAR BRITISH' in talks with the territory's chief minister
JEREMY Corbyn has pledged never to let Gibraltar fall into the hands of Spain.
Fabian Picardo: Gibraltar will stand by Britain over Brexit
The territory’s chief minister Fabian Picardo yesterday revealed that Corbyn “restated the commitment of British sovereignty of Gibraltar” in a conversation between the two.
He added that none of Corbyn’s team “share any of the views of those in the Labour Party in 2002 who tried to force Gibraltar to share its sovereignty with Spain”.
New Labour sparked fury among Britons living in Gibraltar a decade ago after then-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw held talks with Spain on giving them joint-sovereignty over the territory.
Residents branded Straw a “traitor” and told him he should “be ashamed of himself” over the shared-power policy proposal, designed to end a 300-year-long feud with Spain.
Corbyn enraged Labour colleagues north of the border last month when he said a second Scottish independence referendum would be “absolutely fine”.
The Labour leader made the comments in a phone call with Fabian Picardo
Corbyn's front bench are reportedly committed to maintaining British sovereignty of Gibraltar
The Labour leader said it was not the job of his party to “prevent people holding referenda”, and said Labour would not block one from happening.
But Labour members in Scotland strongly criticised Corbyn for his comments.
Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, described the leader’s comments as “misguided and irresponsible”.
She added: “They are an insult to the dedicated work of Scottish Labour MSPs, councillors, and thousands of activists who have campaigned against a divisive second referendum."
Labour’s only MP in Scotland, Ian Murray, accused Corbyn of “destroying the party” in a furious tweet after his comments.
Nicola Sturgeon pounced on the opportunity to mock Corbyn for his stance, tweeting: “Always a pleasure to have @jeremycorbyn campaigning in Scotland.”