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UK to “deter and challenge” any incursion by Spanish state vessels into Gibraltar waters

Thursday, June 14th 2012 - 13:29 UTC
Full article 13 comments

Britain’s Armed Forces Minister, Nick Harvey, said the Royal Navy would “deter and challenge” any incursion by Spanish state vessels into British waters around the Rock. Minister Harvey was responding to questions from Labour MPs in the House of Commons about recent incursions by Spanish Guardia Civil vessels. Read full article

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  • ChrisR

    “Guardia Civil vessels were warned to leave British Gibraltar Territorial Waters on nine separate occasions within the space of a week.”

    The answer to that is to sink the bastards, they won't be back then!

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 01:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Logorrhea Alert

    Here's something to ponder: If the Spanish Government's programs of Gleichschaltung turn out to be shiftless—if they weave the Spanish Government's namby-pamby traits, oppressive musings, and costive propositions into a rich tapestry that is sure to waste everyone else's time—then how do we set about salvaging the tattered remains of our society? As you ponder the answer to that question, consider that for the nonce, the Spanish Government is content to twist the history, sociology, and anthropology disseminated by our mass media and in our children's textbooks. But as soon as our backs are turned, it will send unconscionable, laughable dipsomaniacs on safari holidays instead of publicly birching them.

    Is there, or is there not, a ludibrious plot to interfere with efforts to unite rich and poor, young and old, organized through the years by meretricious adulterers? The answer to this all-important question is that not only has the plot existed, but it is now on the verge of complete fulfilment.

    In closing this post, let me point out that I would be remiss if I didn't remind you that we have not only a right but also a responsibility to upbraid the Spanish Government for being so semi-intelligible.

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 02:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    I don't think sinking Spanish ships is the done thing in EU waters.

    I assume they are relying on that concept being true.

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 02:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britninja

    Tempting as it is to blow them out of the water, they're not worth the ordnance. All Royal Navy vessels in the area should just be equipped with giant scissors. When the dozy twats come back to fish, snip through their expensive nets. Repeat as necessary.

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 02:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Martin Woodhead

    The civil guard boats can really motor when a volley of 84mm anti tank rounds are fired in there general direction.
    Opps never let a junior officer run a range :(

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 02:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    What we need is an Astute to accidentally get caught in the netting and drag the trawler down to Davy Jones' Locker.

    Strong message wrapped up in plausible deniability.

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 03:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    In the “good old days” Royal Navy minesweepers were equipped with ”cable cutters! These were dragged along under the sea surface and cut the mooring lines of mines. Might work just as well on Spanish illegal fishing nets.

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 05:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GreekYoghurt

    This reminds me of during the Falklands war when the Spanish Police picked up some Argies trying to Bomb british shipping in Gibraltar and the Spanish took them out for dinner, had photos with them and then sent them back to Argentina complete with their materials.

    Spanish speakers.... not to be trusted.

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 06:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • cLOHO

    Cut from the same cloth me thinks, untrustworthy, sly , humiliated in the shadow of GB

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 07:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    They both perceive us as weak,
    And as long as we act weak, we will be .
    .

    Jun 14th, 2012 - 09:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @10 So let's send a squadron of Typhoons, a squadron of Apaches and how about the RN's fishery protection vessels? Three 1,677 tonne River class patrol vessels. And some minesweepers to cut the lines to the nets. And buoys all along the marine “border”. And I'm not kidding! Typhoons for “top-cover”. Apaches for patrol and “dissuasion”. River class to dissuade Spanish “state” vessels.

    Jun 15th, 2012 - 01:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussie sunshine

    Close the gates now!! No contact whatsoever with the “ LLANITOS”.
    And not only the border but also the ports......

    Conqueror too much mouth in this forum..kill this kill that!! I bet you have not even been in the military.....and if you were to go into battle you´D probably bog your pants and call out for MAMA MAMA!!!
    I have heard and seen blokes like you...too much talk and no action...
    You do not hear the Spanish using military threats against anyboby but
    your MR Harvey insists in FORCE..probably another wanker who has
    never done military service....

    Jun 15th, 2012 - 02:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @12 Now, now, now “over the top”, bigmouth. Can you “kill” a fishing net? Point at one word that says “kill”. You're an argie for sure. “Look, the nasty British man is getting up. He's attacking me!” Now if you kept up you would know that armed Guardia Civil vessels regularly trespass in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Crewed by armed para-military Guardia Civil. Who have, in the past, landed illegally on Gibraltar and chased through the streets, even firing their weapons. And yes, locally, the Spanish have called for the assistance of the Spanish Navy to back up the Guardia Civil. You're quite right in one aspect, they don't make military threats. They just use military force. As for my background, guess away. I don't give a toss what you think. But I'll tell you one thing. No matter how “big” you are, I've taken down bigger. Officially. For Britain.

    Jun 16th, 2012 - 05:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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