Spain sparks outrage by following Royal Navy nuclear submarine HMS Talent as it left Gibraltar on mission
A Royal Navy boat had to intercept a Spanish boat which began following HMS Talent's secret mission as it left its dock in Gibraltar
SPAIN has caused outrage by shadowing a Royal Navy sub as it left the rock of Gibraltar.
HMS Talent slipped away from its mooring on Friday afternoon for a secret mission but was followed by the Spanish vessel in clear breach of maritime regulations.
A Royal Navy boat was sent out to make sure the Spanish stayed away in what was a clear sabre rattling exercise by Madrid as it flexed it’s muscles again over the hotly disputed British outpost.
The Royal Navy ships of the Gibraltar Squadron are often called into action to intercept Spanish naval vessels that have manoeuvred too close to the British territory and who regularly incur into our waters.
Earlier this year HMS Talent, a nuclear sub, was involved in another incident after a Royal Navy vessel fired a warning shot when a Spanish coast guard vessel got too close.
The sub was reportedly departing Gibraltar after having its Tomahawk missile stores replenished.
HMS Talent can hold up to 30 deadly Tomahawk missiles which are capable of obliterating ground targets. A source on Gibraltar said: "Its outrageous behaviour yet again from Spain.
"Their boat was landside and shouldn’t have been there. It only pulled off once the Royal Navy boat came towards it.”
Last month, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said Gibraltar will "always be under the Union flag" amid concerns over the impact of Brexit.
He said he could give "categorical reassurance" that Gibraltar is "never under threat".
He added:''Ever since the Royal Marines seized it all those centuries ago, it will always be under the Union flag long into the future.''
"Rest assured we will always look after Gibraltar."
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His comments came after Spain signalled it is preparing a fresh push over the sovereignty of Gibraltar as part of Brexit negotiations.
Madrid has always disputed sovreignty of Gibraltar since it was ceded by Spain to Britain in 1713.
Yesterday an MOD spokesperson said:''We never comment on the movements of submarines.''
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