The SDGG says it notes the contents of the documents released to the National Archives in London in which the then British Ambassador to Madrid, Sir Richard Parsons, made certain comments in March 1984.

The SDGG says it is “gravely concerned, although not altogether surprised” that the Ambassador to Spain from 1980 to 1984 argued that Gibraltar must accept that the Rock’s future was under Spanish sovereignty.

A statement continued: “Fortunately, his comments were largely rebutted by the FCO and even its legal team criticised the Ambassador stating “there is no doubt in the minds of HMG that the people of Gibraltar are a ‘people’ and as such that they have a right to self-determination”. We are extremely pleased to hear this since it vindicates the SDGG’s long held and unequivocal argument as far back as 1984 and makes a mockery of the Ambassador’s stance.

“We are nevertheless reminded that in 1976 the then Foreign Secretary Roy Hattersley made the statement known as "The Hattersley Memorandum" that we should reconcile to the fact that "its (Gibraltar's) future lies with Spain". We also remember a more recent visit of a senior civil servant under the Blair government Emyr (now Sir Emyr) Jones Parry, during which visit Mr Parry gave the SDGG the Hattersley message.

“The Group understands with serious concerns that Sir Emyr will play a Civil Service role in the negotiations for the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. The SDGG therefore calls on the Gibraltar team negotiating our position on departure from Europe to be aware and very vigilant of any influence Sir Emyr (and others with his or Mr Parsons’ or Mr Hattersley’s  views) may have on the conditions for our departure.”