UK Govt says it will only agree treaty which protects Gibraltar's sovereignty

The UK government says it will only agree a treaty which protects Gibraltar's British sovereignty and UK military autonomy.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Minister for Europe said any agreement would also need to provide certainty for the people of Gibraltar, and secure their future prosperity.

Stephen Doughty was answering a question from Tory MP Martin Vickers, who asked whether the negotiations would be concluded before the upcoming EU-UK Brexit Reset summit - and whether the interests of the Gibraltarian people would be paramount.

The Minister for Europe said he had spoken to the Chief Minister on Tuesday morning.

Mr Doughty said the UK has been working closely with Fabian Picardo and with their EU and Spanish counterparts, and that all sides agree on the importance of concluding a treaty as soon as possible.