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Leading Tory ministers and advisors attend Gibraltar reception in Birmingham

Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana with Defence minister Dr. Liam Fox (Photo: Gibraltar Chronicle)

Gibraltar Chief Minister, Peter Caruana addressed leading MPS and guests on Sunday at the start of the British Conservative conference in Birmingham.

He said that things in Gibraltar were going well, but there was a serious problem with Spain over territorial waters and he highlighted the recent incident where the Spanish police prevented a suspected drug smuggler being arrested by the RGP.

Foreign Secretary William Hague also gave short speech in which he said he had enjoyed visiting The Rock during the European election campaign where he had stated that in Government he would not let Gibraltar down and that now he was, intended to defend Gibraltar’s interests strongly.

The first meeting of the conference was entitled ‘People Power and the Big Society’ chaired by Eric Pickles. As is usual with high profile events, the streets were lined with police. Many had been brought in from neighbouring forces for the event.

This is the first conference with the Conservatives in government this decade, and the presentation on the economy by George Osborne is expected to pack the hall, as will the address by the party leader on Wednesday.

On Sunday evening the Government of Gibraltar hosted a reception in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, which was well attended. Guests included the minister for defence, Dr Liam Fox, Mr Hague and perhaps one of the most influential men in the party, Lord Ashcroft. There were a number of other familiar faces from the House of Commons Andrew Rosindell, Mark Francoise and the chair of the all party Gibraltar group Eleanor Laing, MP for Epping Forest. Gibraltar MEP’S Giles Chichester, Ashley Fox and Julie Girling also attended the reception.