A block of concrete that was stolen from an artificial reef in British waters over a decade ago has sparked a political spat between Gibraltar and the Spanish far-right party Vox, with Gibraltar’s Chief Minister making a formal complaint to Madrid and demanding that it be returned.
Fabian Picardo, the Chief Minister, announced on Gibraltar’s National Day that he had filed a claim in Madrid to see ‘Reefy’, as it was named, returned to the British overseas territory.
The block was one of 70 that were sunk close to Gibraltar to form part of an artificial reef, the rest of which still remain on the seabed. ‘Reefy’ was stolen in 2013 by Vox spokesman Javier Ortega Smith, an outspoken Spanish nationalist and former special forces soldier.
After being extracted from the seabed with the help of Spanish fishermen and divers, the block was taken to the Vox party’s headquarters in Madrid and put on display near the front door (main image), where it has remained.
Spanish media reports at the time suggested that the artificial reef was impeding the work of Spanish fishermen and that it had aggravated relations between Britain and Spain.
A year after Ortega Smith stole the block, Gibraltar issued a search and arrest warrant for him for a charge that, if he was sentenced, could result in a ten-year prison sentence.
In a speech to celebrate the British overseas territory’s national day on Tuesday, Picardo said: ‘This Monday we filed a claim in Madrid for the return of the concrete reef block that Vox stole from our waters. That block is currently at the entrance of the Vox headquarters. Well, I have news for Vox and for you, my friends. We are going to get it back and it is coming home.’ He added: ‘Reefy come home.’
Speaking to The Times, Picardo said: ‘It’s our property. We want it back. It was paid for by Gibraltar’s taxpayers for a conservation purpose which was praised by King Charles himself. We expect the Spanish courts will order its return to the government of Gibraltar.’
In response Ortega Smith, a founding member of Vox, mocked Picardo online (see below) with: ‘Let’s see, pirate Fabian Picardo. If you dare, come and get it and carry it away on your back. Gibraltar is Spanish! Pirates out of the Rock!’
For the Spanish far-right, Gibraltar has long been a blood and soil type rallying call for nationalist groups. In July, when the Spanish football team won Euro 2024, another diplomatic spat erupted when Spanish players sang ‘Gibraltar es Español!’ (‘Gibraltar is Spanish’) during the celebrations. ALSO READ: Spain’s Rodri and Morata banned for singing ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ at Euro celebrations.
The squabble over a concrete block comes as a November deadline looms over years-long high-level talks aimed at Britain and Spain signing a post-Brexit treaty over the future of Gibraltar.
Brexit meant that the territory was left without guaranteed free movement of people. An accord would allow Gibraltar to be part of the Schengen zone, thereby permitting free circulation of goods and people between Gibraltar and Spain. Border checks would take place at the airport and port.
However, two major outstanding points in treaty negotiations are the presence of Spanish border guards on British soil, something Gibraltar rejects outright, and the question of who would run Gibraltar’s airport, which is located between Spain and the British territory, an area Madrid claims was never included in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht that ceded Gibraltar to the British.
British critics of the proposed deal have said it endangers the UK’s sovereignty over Gibraltar. Picardo followed his remarks about the concrete block by saying: ‘That’s why I insist, there will only be a treaty as long as it is safe [for Britain’s sovereignty of Gibraltar].’
ALSO READ: Spain and the UK make ‘significant progress’ in Gibraltar talks.
A ver, pirata @FabianPicardo, si te atreves vente tú a buscarlo y te lo llevas a lomos.
— Javier Ortega Smith (@Ortega_Smith) September 10, 2024
¡¡Gibraltar español!! ¡¡Fuera piratas del Peñón!! pic.twitter.com/NeVs6cF1Jk
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