The Convent is aware of the unlawful incursion into BGTW by Guardia Civil divers in and around the recently created North West Artificial Reef System, a reef created by HMGoG in compliance with EU legislation and international conventions.  

The Governor said: "The act of diving itself constituted a serious violation of British sovereignty but this apparent interference with the reef is a new and worrying aspect.  This is a blatant attempt to exercise jurisdiction inside BGTW and, in the light of the conciliatory position taken by HMGoG, a particularly unhelpful development at a time when all parties should be seeking to ease the current tensions".

The incident was reported immediately to London and Madrid for consideration of the appropriate follow up action.