Spain's Prime Minister tonight warned he would 'veto Brexit' unless the withdrawal deal was changed to offer new guarantees on Gibraltar.
The Rock has become a last-minute sticking point in Brexit talks as Madrid warned a future UK-EU trade deal could not apply in Gibraltar without a Spanish say.
Pedro Sanchez, who has spoken to Theresa May in a bid to make a breakthrough ahead of Sunday's EU summit, said tonight: 'Our positions remain far away.
'My Government will always defend the interests of Spain. If there are no changes, we will veto Brexit.'
Luis Marco Aguiriano, Spanish minister for the EU, earlier accused Theresa May and the EU of 'acting under the cover of darkness' over Gibraltar.
The Prime Minister has vowed to deliver a deal for the 'whole UK family' including Gibraltar and other overseas territories.
Theresa May (pictured today in Downing Street) spoke to the Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez last night in a bid to end the diplomatic flare up that has rocked the final phase of the negotiations
Spain cannot outright veto the Brexit deal at Sunday's summit to sign off the divorce but Brussels will be desperate to get unanimous agreement from EU leaders.
Mr Aguiriano said an article in the draft Brexit text had been added 'under the cover of darkness and with treachery' behind Spain's back.
Madrid has vented its anger at article 184 of the draft deal, which says the EU and the UK will seek to 'negotiate rapidly the agreements governing their future relationship' between the official day of withdrawal on 29 March 2019 and the end of a transition period in December 2020.'
EU sources have made clear irritation at Spain's decision to try and reopen the issue of Gibraltar at the 11th hour of the talks.
Brussels spokesman Margaritis Schinas confirmed today 'work is continuing' to resolve differences over Gibraltar, the tiny territory at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula that was ceded to Britain in 1713 but is still claimed by Spain.
'There are ideas, contacts are ongoing,' Schinas said, without providing further details.
Last year's EU guidelines on the Brexit negotiations effectively gave Spain veto powers over future relations between the bloc and the British overseas territory.
Mr Sanchez had said on Tuesday that his government 'cannot accept' Gibraltar's future being determined by negotiations at the EU level.
Spain 's Prime Minister tonight warned he would 'veto Brexit ' unless the withdrawal deal was changed to offer new guarantees on Gibraltar
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (pictured) said on Tuesday that his government 'cannot accept' Gibraltar's future being determined by negotiations at the EU level
Madrid made clear today it remained deeply unhappy with the future status of the Rock (file), insisting any future UK-EU trade must not apply there without a Spanish say.
Following the call between Mr Sanchez and Mrs May on Wedneday night, a Downing Street spokesman said: '(Mrs May) said there had been good engagement between the UK, the Government of Spain and the Government of Gibraltar in order to come to an agreement in the Withdrawal Agreement and associated package of Memoranda of Understanding relating to Gibraltar.
'She said that the UK and Government of Gibraltar looked forward to these discussions continuing as we discuss the future relationship.
'The Prime Minister reiterated her commitment to agreeing a deal that works for the whole UK family including Gibraltar, the other UK Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies.'
Best for Britain champion and former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron MP said: 'This spat over Gibraltar could potentially sink Theresa May's bad Brexit deal once and for all.
'The people of Gibraltar must not be used as pawns in a political game between Whitehall and Brussels.
'The political declaration released today did not mention Gibraltar once. It seems to me that this declaration is all about unicorns and the never never rather than about facts. With issues with Scottish Tories and the DUP on one side and the Spanish government on the other the government looks like it is stuck between a rock and a hard plaice.
'I worry that in this messy divorce we might be leaving one of the children behind.'
Linkhienalouca.comhttps://hienalouca.com/2018/11/23/spain-vows-to-vote-against-brexit-deal-without-new-concessions-on-gibraltar/
Main photo article Spain‘s Prime Minister tonight warned he would ‘veto Brexit‘ unless the withdrawal deal was changed to offer new guarantees on Gibraltar.
The Rock has become a last-minute sticking point in Brexit talks as Madrid warned a future UK-EU trade deal could not apply in Gibraltar ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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