Commenting on yesterday’s three-hour queues entering Gibraltar, the Governor has insisted that intense diplomatic activity has been conducted at the highest level. He noted that the Government of Gibraltar has been working very closely with the UK Government. He welcomes the interventions by the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary and their unwavering support for Gibraltar at this time of heightened tension.

He added, ‘I also welcome the fact that Prime Minister Rajoy has agreed that a way needs to be found to de-escalate the situation and has committed to reducing measures at the border. I am sure that people on both sides of the frontier look forward to this commitment taking effect and to their right of freedom of movement being fully respected.

‘The Foreign Secretary and his opposite number agreed on the need for dialogue. In line with its longstanding policy, the UK has made clear once again that it stands firm in its commitment to a return the trilateral forum for dialogue and will not enter into bilateral dialogue on any issue of sovereignty or in respect of matters in the constitutional competence of Gibraltar.’