'HARSH CONSEQUENCES' Gibraltar chief fires off WARNING to May against letting them down
THE Chief Minister of Gibraltar has said that the British people will never forgive Theresa May if she dares to let down Gibraltar in its Brexit negotiations.
Gibraltar chief: British people will judge May if we're let down
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the fate of Prime Minister Theresa May rests on how she handles the issue of Gibraltar.
The British overseas terrirtory, dubbed 'the Rock' is set to be a major point of contention in the Brexit talks.
Mr Picardo said the British people will harshly judge any prime minister who lets down Gibraltar at the last moment.
Picardo warned that the British people will not forgive May if she lets down Gibraltar
Tory MP dismisses Spain's 'outdated' claim to Gibraltar
The Gibraltar chief said Mrs May's career was on the line when it comes to sticking up for the interests of the British community.
Residents of the territory voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the EU in last year's Brexit referendum.
He warned that voters "chose to remain in the EU and should not become the first or last victim of Brexit".
The political leader added: "The British would judge very harshly a prime minister or any other minister in the British cabinet who at the last minute lets down the people of Gibraltar."
Gibraltar chief warns of 'harsh consequences' if Theresa May lets them down
The British people would judge very harshly a Prime Minister who at the last minute lets down the people of Gibraltar
He was adamant that "the next prime minister of the United Kingdom will continue to stand by the people of Gibraltar and continue to ensure that the sovereignty of Gibraltar is secure".
The tiny British enclave on Spain's southern tip wants the mainland to negotiate a "special status" with the EU for it after the British exit.
Mr Picardo shot down suggestions from the Spanish government for 'joint sovereignty' to give the territory access to the Single Market.
Gibraltar rejected the idea of Britain sharing sovereignty with Spain by 99 per cent to one per cent in a 2002 referendum.
But in March, the EU offered Spain a veto right over the future relationship between Gibraltar and the EU after Britain leaves the bloc.
Gibraltar is likely to be a sticking point in Brexit talks
Spain has caused delays along the enclave's border recently
Spain, which claims sovereignty over the territory it ceded to Britain in 1713, has frequently conflicted EU partners in its attempts to use EU negotiations to put pressure on Gibraltar.
Mr Picardo warned: "If Spain do try to pursue a joint sovereignty agenda within Brexit they will look like fools in front of the other member states in the European Union.
"Gibraltar will not surrender its sovereignty to access the Single Market."