The Government notes the resignation of William Hague MP as Foreign Secretary and the appointment of Defence Secretary Philip Hammond MP to the post (pictured).

This is part of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Government reshuffle in the United Kingdom.

Speaking from the Overseas Territories meeting in the Cayman Islands, the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: "William Hague has been a strong supporter of Gibraltar and in particular has been unwavering in showing that the United Kingdom stands by Gibraltar in the face of Spanish aggression. He has been Foreign Secretary during both GSD and GSLP/Liberal administrations and has worked well with both in trying to return to the Trilateral Process. Perhaps his most important legacy will be the proposal for "ad hoc" contact which eschews bilateralism, in an attempt to keep dialogue alive, whilst continuing to strongly support a return to trilateral talks. He has also been instrumental in the White Paper on the Overseas Territories and under his tutelage the FCO has embraced the territories more fully as part of the British family of nations. For Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar there is no question that Mr Hague is an undoubted friend of Gibraltar and of its British status."

Mr Picardo added: "I met with Philip Hammond last year at the Tory Party conference and can tell people in Gibraltar that we undoubtedly will have a friend in him. He has a very positive approach to the continued military significance of Gibraltar and therefore his transition to Foreign Secretary is positive in that sense. I very much look forward to an early opportunity to brief him on the current issues and trust I will have a chance to do so very soon."

(Pic: Harland Quarrington, Ministry of Defence)