Spanish plan new ambush on Gibraltar

A new row over Gibraltar was looming today after the Spanish vowed to challenge Tony Blair about the colony. Spanish prime minister Jose Louis Zapatero is plotting to ambush Mr Blair over the future of the Rock at a summit of world leaders. He hopes to sound the Prime Minister out about a deal over sovereignty.

But the discussion threatens to further damage Britain's relationship with Spain - they are already at loggerheads over Iraq.

The Spanish are determined

to regain sovereignty of Gibraltar despite opposition from the colony. Officials in Madrid revealed that Mr Blair has agreed to hold bilateral talks with the Spanish premier on a range of issues today.

Both men are in Budapest for an international conference of centre-Left political leaders. However, any concession is highly unlikely before the next general election.