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SHOCK ON THE ROCK

Spain fights to claim Gibraltar following British vote to leave EU saying ‘the Spanish flag is closer than ever’

Tiny peninsula off the south coast of Spain has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713

fionn hargreaves

Published: 9:26, 24 Jun 2016
Updated: 12:27, 24 Jun 2016

Gibraltar EU Britain Spain Brexit

SPAIN will seek co-sovereignity on Gibraltar following Britain's vote to leave the European Union, according to the country's foreign minister.

Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said that Brexit has completely changed the outlook on the future of the peninsula.

Spain's foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo has called for the co-sovereignty of Gibraltar after Britain votes to leave the EU — Spain's foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo has called for the co-sovereignty of Gibraltar after Britain votes to leave the EUCredit: Getty Images

The shocking news came as an overwhelming 95.9 per cent of voters in Gibraltar voted to stay in the EU.

Over the whole of Britain 52 per cent of voters supported Brexit.

The tiny peninsula of Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713 — The tiny peninsula of Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713Credit: AP:Associated Press

A staggering 95.9 per cent of voters in Gibraltar voted for Britain to remain in the EU — A staggering 95.9 per cent of voters in Gibraltar voted for Britain to remain in the EUCredit: Getty Images

The foreign minister said in a radio interview that the Spanish flag on the rock was much closer after Brexit — The foreign minister said in a radio interview that the Spanish flag on the rock was much closer after BrexitCredit: Getty Images

Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713.

The small peninsula is known to its 30,000 residents as “the Rock” and is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations.

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He said: “It's a complete change of outlook that opens up new possibilities on Gibraltar not seen for a very long time. I hope the formula of co-sovereignity - to be clear, the Spanish flag on the Rock - is much closer than before."

But Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo tweeted earlier: "We have surpassed greater challenges. It is time for unity, for calm and for rational thinking. Together and united we will continue to prosper."

The peninsula, fondly known as 'The Rock', is just off the south coast of Spain — The peninsula, fondly known as 'The Rock', is just off the south coast of SpainCredit: Getty Images

But the chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo said that the country had 'surpassed greater challenges' — But the chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo said that the country had 'surpassed greater challenges'Credit: Reuters

Over the whole of Britain, 52 per cent of voters wanted to leave the EU — Over the whole of Britain, 52 per cent of voters wanted to leave the EUCredit: Getty Images

He is due to give a speech on Friday afternoon.

Julie Girling, the South West England and Gibraltar Conservative MEP said:

"I am deeply sorry that the people of the UK have chosen this leap in the dark. I believe future generations will question our wisdom.

"The EU has many faults, of course, but I remain convinced that we would be safer, stronger and better off by remaining a member."

A spokesman for Gibraltar's government declined to comment on the Brexit vote and referred to previous statements made on how co-sovereignty had already been rejected by around 99 percent of Gibraltarians in a previous local referendum.

Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo has called for unity and 'rational thinking' — Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo has called for unity and 'rational thinking'Credit: Getty Images

Gibraltar Returning Officer Paul Martinez announced the results after the peninsula were one of the first areas to finish counting their ballot papers — Gibraltar Returning Officer Paul Martinez announced the results after the peninsula were one of the first areas to finish counting their ballot papersCredit: Getty Images

Just 823 voters in the peninsula voted to leave the EU in an overwhelming victory for the Remain side.

The small territory was one of the first constituencies to reveal their results.

But when returning officer Paul Martinez got up to the podium to announce his results, an audience member’s mobile phone rang.

The official looked less than impressed at the rude interruption.

Turnout on the peninsula was incredibly high, with 85 per cent of registered voters turning out to make their decision.

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