Press release

Spain reassures UK over shots off Gibraltar

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received a full explanation of the incident on 22 August 2015.

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

A Foreign Office Spokesman said:

We remain deeply concerned at the fact that live shots are now confirmed to have been fired during this incident and we have been reassured by the Spanish Government that safety of lives at sea is a top priority for all concerned and their law enforcement agencies will operate with the utmost respect for this principle in order that this is fully upheld in the future.

Without prejudice to our respective positions on questions of sovereignty and jurisdiction, it has been agreed to step up law enforcement cooperation in the fight against organised crime, including through timely co-operation and notification by the various seaborne agencies of pursuits of vessels involved in illegal activities to ensure effective action against criminals and a commitment to a mutual provision and exchange of evidence in order to better facilitate the successful prosecution of criminals in the relevant courts and tribunals.

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Published 28 August 2015
Last updated 28 August 2015 + show all updates
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