Aug 03 - GSD Says British Government Is Not Doing Enough To Deter Incursions
The GSD has said that his weekend’s illegal incursion by a Spanish Customs vessel, Aguila IV, well within a restricted area for bathers at Camp Bay “had all the hallmarks of a potential tragedy.” The party says that the incursion happened when Camp Bay was full of bathers enjoying what is supposed to be a safe area to swim given the restrictions placed on the entry of vessels. The Opposition says that, while the Aguila IV was later escorted into Spanish waters after the intervention of the RGP, GDP and a Royal Navy RHIB, “it illustrates that not enough is being done by the British Government to ensure these illegal activities in BGTW cease.” It is obvious, says the party, that any diplomatic pressure being exerted “is having little effect and sooner or later there will be tragic accident.”
The Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Feetham, said: “What would the British Government do if these incursions occurred off the coast of Portsmouth, and it was United Kingdom residents that were being put at risk? I hardly think they would tolerate these repeated incursions. The defence of BGTW is a matter for the British Government and not our local law enforcement agencies. The Opposition stands squarely behind our law enforcement agencies on this issue who do a very difficult job in difficult circumstances. As with lobbying in Spain, attendance at the UN 4th Committee and the Brexit referendum, the Opposition is prepared to work with the Government on these issues and our longstanding offer to do so remains open”.
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