Britain fears Spain’s bid to force its passport staff on Gibraltar in Brexit dispute could hurt The Rock’s economy

Spain has insisted that its police should be able to carry out passport checks on people arriving in Gibraltar, sparking fears in the UK that the British overseas territory’s economy would be harmed by the protocol.

The UK and Spain are currently engaged in lengthy post-Brexit talks over Gibraltar’s relationship with the European Union and how people can cross the 0.75km border freely and with minimal checks.

But Spain insists that police must be able to check the passports of an average of 30,000 people who cross the border every day to continue.

The United Kingdom strongly opposed the proposed measure, with officials calling the move unnecessary and linked to Spain’s past harsh treatment of the territory.

Failure to reach an agreement could lead to sweeping and prolonged border controls being imposed, slowing movement to a crawl and hurting the outpost’s economy.

A Spanish official told the FT that the country’s police must carry out passport checks to allow people to enter the European free movement zone.

“To ensure smooth traffic between Gibraltar and Spain, there must be Schengen checks at the airport,” the Spanish official said.

‘There is no doubt. This is the only way. Passport checks must be carried out by the Policía Nacional.”

However, British officials see no reason why it should not be carried out by the EU border protection agency Frontex and not by the Spanish police.

Most people will be able to cross the border freely under a current deal that will be offered in 2020. They must show their passport or identity card to the border guards and can then pass.

Around half of Gibraltar’s jobs are held by Spanish workers and if an agreement cannot be reached to allow border crossings, the outpost’s economy could be at risk. In turn, many in Gibraltar regularly cross the border for shopping and various recreational activities.

Following the British government’s Windsor Agreement, the renewed trade agreement with Northern Ireland, British officials are now keen to resolve the current border issue between Gibraltar and Spain.

Most people can cross the Gibraltar border freely under a recent deal offered in 2020

The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, and Gibraltar’s Prime Minister, Fabian Picardo, said they would plan all eventualities whether or not a deal was reached.

While British officials expressed frustration, Spain said it was following normal protocol within the Schengen zone.

A Spanish official told the FT: “We didn’t ask for anything. It was the UK that voted for Brexit, which is a legitimate decision.”

To negotiate an alternative deal, some British officials are interested in the proposal to station Spanish border guards at British airports when they fly to the outlet. The same process is carried out by the French authorities before boarding the Eurostar bound for Paris and Brussels.

The problem is further clouded by the memory of many Gibraltarians of Spanish dictator Franco closing the border in 1969. It took another 16 years to reopen.