Dominic Raab has attacked the European Commission’s proposals on how the UK and Spain should negotiate the future of Gibraltar.

The foreign secretary said the commission’s draft mandate “directly conflicts” with the framework previously agreed between the EU, UK, Spain and Gibraltar earlier this year.

And he claimed it “seeks to undermine the UK’s sovereignty” over the British overseas territory, which is geographically connected to the Spanish mainland.

Earlier on Tuesday, the EU Commission’s draft proposal to launch post-Brexit negotiations with the UK over Gibraltar – a British oversees territory attached to Spanish mainland – was published through the Spanish press.

The plans include removing checks on people and goods at the land border between Spain and Gibraltar.

But in a statement released on Tuesday evening, Mr Raab has accused the EU of backtracking on their previous position amid concerns that Spain is trying to extend its influence over the territory.

The UK Government has concerns that the EU want Spanish officials to carry out these border checks, when they would rather that agents from the EU border agency were managing the process.

“The UK, with Gibraltar, and Spain carefully agreed a pragmatic framework agreement, in full consultation with the EU Commission,” the foreign secretary said.

“The Commission’s proposed mandate, published today, directly conflicts with that framework. It seeks to undermine the UK’s sovereignty over Gibraltar, and cannot form a basis for negotiations.

“We have consistently showed pragmatism and flexibility in the search for arrangements that work for all sides, and we are disappointed that this has not been reciprocated. We urge the EU to think again.”

Gibraltar was not included in the scope of the EU-UK Brexit trade deal agreed at the end of 2020.

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