Did Spain veto Theresa May’s Brexit deal and what does this mean for the UK?
THERESA May gave way to Madrid's demands over the future of Gibraltar after Pedro Sanchez threatened to "veto" Brexit.
But what does this mean for Britain? Here's everything you need to know.
Did Spain veto Theresa May's Brexit deal?
Mr Sanchez says the future relationship to be negotiated between the EU and UK shouldn't apply to Gibraltar and that it should be decided separately between Spain and Britain.
Theresa May initially rejected his idea, warning the plan must apply "to the whole United Kingdom family" - a group which includes the British Overseas Territory.
But May gave way to Madrid's demands over the future of Gibraltar following Sanchez's threat.
On the eve of Sunday’s special Brexit summit, the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, wrote to say that Gibraltar would not necessarily be covered by a future trade deal with the EU.
Sanchez responded, claiming the UK would now have to open talks on “joint sovereignty” of Gibraltar, over which Spain has had a claim since the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
He said: “Once the UK has left the EU, Gibraltar’s political, legal and even geographic relationship with the EU will go through Spain …
“Spain will be a fundamental pillar of the relationship between Gibraltar and the EU as a whole.
“When it comes to the future political declaration, the European council and the European commission have backed Spain’s position, and backed it as never before.“In these fundamental future negotiations, we’re going to have to talk about joint sovereignty and many other things with the UK.”
What does this mean for the UK?
Sanchez confirmed that Europe and the United Kingdom have "accepted the conditions imposed by Spain".
He said: "Europe and the United Kingdom have accepted the conditions imposed by Spain."
The draft document said: "After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, Gibraltar will not be included in the territorial scope of the agreements to be concluded between the Union and the United Kingdom.
"However, this does not preclude the possibility to have separate agreements between the Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Gibraltar... those separate agreements will require a prior agreement of the Kingdom of Spain."
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