Boris Johnson welcomes last-minute deal with EU on Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status

Boris Johnson has “whole-heartedly” welcomed a last-ditch agreement that will see Gibraltar’s border with Spain remain open just hours before the end of the Brexit transition period.

The Rock’s status was not covered in the trade agreement reached by Boris Johnson on Christmas Eve, prompting concerns about what would happen when the transition period ends at 11pm tonight.

Gibraltar, whose sovereignty is still disputed by Spain and Britain, will remain subject to the rule of the free-travel Schengen area, Spain’s foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said.

The Prime Minister, hailed the agreement, tweeting on Thursday: “I wholeheartedly welcome today’s political agreement between the UK and Spain on Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU. 

"The UK has always been, and will remain, totally committed to the protection of the interests of Gibraltar and its British sovereignty.”

Ms Gonzalez Laya announced that the “agreement in principle” means people in Gibraltar “can breathe a sigh of relief”.

She said that further details on the agreement would be published in the New Year.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Today, working side by side with the chief minister of Gibraltar, and following intensive discussions with the Spanish government, we reached agreement on a political framework to form the basis of a separate treaty between the UK and the EU regarding Gibraltar.

“We will now send this to the European Commission, in order to initiate negotiations on the formal treaty.

“In the meantime, all sides are committed to mitigating the effects of the end of the transition period on Gibraltar, and in particular ensure border fluidity, which is clearly in the best interests of the people living on both sides.

“We remain steadfast in our support for Gibraltar and its sovereignty. I am grateful to foreign minister Laya and her team for their positive and constructive approach.

“We have a warm and strong relationship with Spain, and we look forward to building on it in 2021.”

The deal attracted criticism from Labour MEP Seb Dance who said the UK should consider rejoining the freedom of movement deal offered in the Schengen zone too.