Aug 26 – GSD Calls On UK To Send Clear Signal To Spain Following SVA Shooting Incident
The Leader of the Opposition, Danny Feetham, has said that the latest incident in BGTW involving the SVA during which shots have now been confirmed to have been fired by officers on the Spanish vessel, “justifies all the concerns raised by the GSD over the last year.”
Mr Feetham added: “The incident is very serious. Whilst the Opposition is, as it has always, been disposed to support the Government in dealing with the current situation, we must point out that it is the legal and constitutional (and arguably moral) duty of the United Kingdom to defend the integrity of BGTW. United Kingdom Ministers must surely now realize that if they simply continue to adopt the same diplomatic measures in response to these very serious incursions, the current situation will continue and an injury to a person (or worse) will become increasingly likely. We are seeing the harassment and intimidation of British Citizens in British waters. The United Kingdom Government must deal with the issue as it would deal with it if these actions by Spanish State Vessels were being conducted in British waters off the United Kingdom. A show of real commitment involving larger Royal Navy assets in BGTW would send a clear signal to Spain that the United Kingdom Government will not tolerate foreign State Vessels placing its citizens at risk in British Waters.”
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