Gibraltar Treaty faces first Commons scrutiny as ministers defend sovereignty and implementation

The Gibraltar Treaty has faced its first detailed scrutiny in the House of Commons, with MPs questioning both the practical operation of the new arrangements and the process by which the agreement will be ratified.

Ministers defended the Treaty, insisting Gibraltar's sovereignty and military autonomy remain unaffected and arguing the agreement provides long-term certainty after Brexit.

The UK's Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty, faced questions from MPs as Parliament held its first substantive examination of the Gibraltar Treaty since it entered into provisional application.

While ministers described the agreement as a historic step which secures a fluid frontier between Gibraltar and Spain, MPs pressed the Government on a number of issues arising from its implementation.

Questions focused on reports of disruption during the first day of operation, the new immigration arrangements at Gibraltar Airport and the practical application of Schengen rules under the Treaty.

MPs also raised concerns about parliamentary scrutiny of the agreement, questioning how the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, or CRaG, process will operate given that the Treaty is already being applied provisionally ahead of formal ratification.

In response, ministers argued that Parliament would have the opportunity to examine the agreement and defended the decision to provisionally apply the Treaty while ratification procedures continue.

The Government was also pressed on sovereignty and defence matters. Stephen Doughty repeatedly told the House that sovereignty was not discussed during the negotiations and remains unchanged.

Ministers further stated that British Forces Gibraltar retains full operational autonomy and that military movements will not be subject to Spanish control under the new arrangements.

The Government said the Treaty, which has the support of the Gibraltar Government and Parliament, provides a long-term framework for the movement of people and goods while protecting Gibraltar's constitutional position.