UK caves to Spain as Red Arrows dragged into post-Brexit Gibraltar deal row - leaked memo

Red Arrows Hawk T1 Aircraft of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Display

Tensions between Britain and Spain have escalated over the status of Gibraltar, with leaked diplomatic cables revealing Britain’s capitulation to Spanish pressure in recent negotiations.

The controversy surfaced after the cancellation of a Red Arrows aerobatics display last September, following warnings from Spanish officials.

According to leaked cables, a Spanish official deemed the display a “hostile act” and cautioned that the response from Spain would “not be mild”.

The British Embassy in Spain acknowledged Spain’s strong opposition to the event, describing it as “unnecessary, unconstructive, and provocative”.

These cancellations are part of a series of events that have been called off in Gibraltar in recent years, including a planned visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth, in what appears to be an attempt to avoid upsetting Spanish sensitivities.

Gibraltar’s status has been a point of contention between Britain and Spain since it was ceded to Britain in 1713. Negotiations over its future have intensified since the Brexit vote.

Despite earlier optimism about reaching a permanent arrangement for border checks and transit, leaked cables reveal that British officials faced explicit warnings from Spain regarding the planned events. Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, expressed concerns that giving in to Madrid’s demands would weaken Britain’s position.

However, Britain ultimately yielded to the pressure, cancelling not only the Red Arrows display over Gibraltar but also an event planned for Menorca. The cancellations have raised speculation about the extent of Spain’s influence over British decisions in the region.

The Ministry of Defence defended the cancellations, citing operational planning considerations, but the move has nonetheless stirred controversy.

It comes amid heightened tensions over Gibraltar’s status post-Brexit, with negotiations stalled over Spain’s demands for jurisdiction over the territory’s airport.

Despite the setbacks, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo expressed optimism about reaching a post-Brexit agreement on border checks and transit for Gibraltar. However, disagreements persist, with British diplomats accusing Spain of making unacceptable demands that threaten Gibraltar’s sovereignty.