Sep 04 - MP Urges Hague To Ask Spanish Ambassador To “Pack His Sombrero, Straw Donkey And Sangria And Go”
During a series of questions answered by the Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday in Parliament, Ian Paisley MP asked Mr Hague whether he would be telling the Spanish ambassador in London (Federico Trillo) to “pack his sombrero, straw donkey and sangria, and go” if hostilities were to continue.
Mr Paisley is a Democratic Unionist (DUP) MP for North Antrim and the son of veteran Northern Ireland politician and DUP co-founder the Reverend Ian Paisley.
The full text of the exchange as reported by Hansard is as follows:
Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP):
In seven days’ time, the people of Gibraltar will celebrate their national day. I hope they can do so in a spirit of peace and stability. I welcome the statements that the Secretary of State has made from the Dispatch Box today, but may I make it abundantly clear to the Spanish that, if they continue their hostility towards the British people of Gibraltar, he will tell the Spanish ambassador in London to pack his sombrero, straw donkey and sangria, and go?
Mr Hague:
The views on both sides of the House on the subject are clear. I am pleased to say that the support for the people of Gibraltar, for constitutional rights and sovereignty, and for our position on sovereignty, is also clear. There have been occasions in recent weeks when we have summoned the Spanish ambassador, but if the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, we will use slightly more diplomatic language than he is recommending to Her Majesty’s Government.
(Pic courtesy of: Northern Ireland Office)
