Latest news with #BritishOverseasTerritory
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Washington Post
4 US cruise ship passengers accused of smuggling drugs and detained in Bermuda
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Authorities in Bermuda said Tuesday that they arrested four U.S. cruise ship passengers accused of drug possession. Police said in a statement that the suspects had a 'significant quantity of illegal drugs' including cannabis and carfentanyl, which experts say is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and is used to tranquilize elephants. 'This seizure may have prevented a potential tragedy,' said acting Detective Superintendent Derricka Burns. The suspects also were accused of possessing vape pens and suspected THC gummies. Bermuda police said security officers aboard a Carnival cruise ship had detained the suspects. They were arrested upon their arrival to the wealthy British overseas territory located in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Police did not provide additional details, and Carnival did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Gibraltar agrees 15% sales tax on goods in post-Brexit settlement with Spain
Gibraltar will apply a 15% sales tax on goods to avoid unfair competition with Spain, as a result of the agreement on the post-Brexit future of the British overseas territory, it has emerged. The territory has agreed to ensure a 15% minimum 'transaction tax' on goods within three years of the ratification of the agreement, according to a senior European official. 'For Gibraltar, it was a big ask, they have always claimed … that this taxation will create for them a serious economic problem,' the official said. The European Commission insisted that the British territory had to align its taxation policies with the EU in order to join a customs union, an integral part of the deal struck on Wednesday. 'The agreement that we have reached is that they will, in a period of three years, reach a level [on a transaction tax] that is acceptable for us,' the person said. The agreement, hailed as 'historic', will erase the border separating the British overseas territory from the rest of the Iberian peninsula. Gibraltar will be connected to the EU's border-free Schengen zone, meaning Gibraltarians can move freely in the surrounding region, although without rights to work and settle elsewhere in the EU. Passport checks will be carried out at the port and airport by British and Spanish border guards. Spanish officers will be empowered to deny entry to the British overseas territory to any British national who has already exceeded their 90-day stay limit. Under Schengen rules, UK citizens are limited to stays of 90 days within a 180-day period. Spanish customs officials will also check goods entering Gibraltar via the land border, the main entry point for nearly all items. The British overseas territory will eventually enter into a customs union with the EU, which requires a further agreement. Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, has welcomed 'the tax convergence process that will ensure that everybody is treated fairly'. He said: 'Now Gibraltar is linked to the customs union. There will be fair competition for everybody. Madrid has long been concerned that cigarettes from Gibraltar were being illegally sold in Spain, while European anti-fraud investigators have warned about cross-border smuggling by organised crime. The government of Gibraltar, which is responsible for setting taxation on the British overseas territory, has been contacted for comment. The Gibraltar agreement came weeks after the UK and EU agreed on a wider reset. EU sources said completing the unfinished business of Brexit for Gibraltar was necessary to move forward in other areas, such as defence and a veterinary agreement. Spain has been blocking British participation in defence projects and could have proved an obstacle to future deals if the status of Gibraltar had not been agreed. 'Everyone wanted to find compromises, solutions, etc, and it was the right moment to do that,' the official said.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The betrayal of Gibraltar: Anger at Starmer's 'surrender deal' with EU that hands Spain control over territory's border
Sir Keir Starmer was accused last night of striking another 'surrender' deal after handing over control of Gibraltar's border to the European Union. The agreement means Britons travelling to the peninsula could be refused entry by Spanish guards enforcing the EU rules – despite it being a British Overseas Territory. The arrangement was made to enable the border to fully re-open between Gibraltar and Spain, which is crossed by thousands daily living either side to get to work or visit friends and family. Britons travelling to the territory at present face an initial passport check carried out by Gibraltar officials but they would face a second check carried out by Spanish border officials on behalf of the EU. It means Britons could be rejected if they do not meet strict Schengen Area rules. For instance, post-Brexit Britons cannot stay in the EU for longer than 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. It raises the prospect of UK travellers needing to obtain an EU visa to visit a British territory if they have exceeded their 90-day allowance, or they face being refused entry at the border. A specific post-Brexit agreement, covering the territory and to keep the Spain-Gibraltar border open, was needed because, at Madrid's insistence, it was not part of the wider EU-UK trade pact struck after Brexit. It was also not included in Sir Keir's 'reset' deal unveiled last month. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo agreed the new deal in principle in Brussels yesterday. Pictured: Lammy and Picardo in a social media clip Foreign Secretary David Lammy and chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo agreed the new deal in principle in Brussels yesterday. But Brexiteers warned that the Falklands could be next following Sir Keir's controversial Chagos Islands 'surrender' deal. Tory Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: 'First Chagos and now Gibraltar – and then probably the Falklands, too. This Europhile, human-rights obsessed Government can no longer be trusted to robustly defend any of our overseas interests, as this further needless concession to Spain shows. 'Labour used to sing The Red Flag – now they just wave a big white one instead.' David Jones, former Brexit minister, said: 'There is no reason why British people visiting their own territory should be providing passports to foreign entities. This is contrary to Britain having sovereignty over Gibraltar. 'The Spanish have wanted to get their hands on Gibraltar ever since the Treaty of Utrecht [which handed Britain sovereignty in 1713] – it's a vitally important asset to us. 'It has thousands of our citizens living there and people visiting their own territory should not have to present passports to foreign officials.' Former home secretary Suella Braverman said: 'Another surrender and a hand-over in all but name. It is unforgivable. The Falklands will be next.' The text of the treaty is yet to be finalised and published. However, Government sources insisted 'nothing will compromise the way the Armed Forces operate' at the strategically important RAF Gibraltar military base next to Gibraltar Airport. They insisted residents of the Rock will not be affected by the changes. As well as re-opening the Spain-Gibraltar border for people, the deal also removes goods controls, allowing for them to be traded more smoothly. Mr Lammy said: 'This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat. Today's breakthrough delivers a practical solution after years of uncertainty.' Downing Street said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had, in a phone call, congratulated Sir Keir over the Gibraltar deal, claiming 'his government had succeeded where others had failed'.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Lammy holding talks on post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will have talks with the European Union and Spain in Brussels as a post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar appears close. Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar's leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Talks on rules governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020, but an agreement has not yet been reached. The PA news agency understands that a deal has not yet been reached and there are still a number of sticking points. A Foreign Office source said: 'We're working to secure an agreement that works for the people and businesses in Gibraltar. 'An agreement that will protect British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the future.' Ministers have insisted no deal will be done without the full support of Gibraltar's government. Mr Lammy held talks with chief minister Fabian Picardo in Gibraltar along with the UK's overseas territories minister Stephen Doughty. The ministers and Mr Picardo then travelled to Brussels for talks with the EU and Spanish representatives. In a post on X on Wednesday morning, Mr Picardo said it is 'time to try to finalise arrangements for lasting, stable relationship between Gibraltar and the EU/Spain which is safe, secure and beneficial'. But officials close to the talks said there were still 'hard negotiations ahead'. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility. The Government, in line with its Conservative predecessors, has said it will not sign up to a deal that gives sovereignty over Gibraltar to another country, or that the Gibraltarian government is not content with. The strategic defence review, released earlier this month, said the UK would maintain a military presence in Gibraltar, 'upholding the sovereignty of British Gibraltar territorial waters'.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
David Lammy holds Gibraltar talks ahead of potential EU deal
The foreign secretary has visited Gibraltar for talks ahead of a potential post-Brexit deal for the Lammy and Europe Minister Stephen Doughty met Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo and his cabinet on Wednesday, and the three are now heading to Brussels for discussions with EU and Spanish on rules governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020, but an agreement has not yet been reached.A Foreign Office source said that a deal was not yet finalised and that a number of sticking points remained. Writing on X, Picardo said it was "time to try to finalise arrangements for lasting, stable relationship between Gibraltar and the EU/Spain which is safe, secure and beneficial".Announcing the new UK-EU deal last month, Sir Keir Starmer and EU Council President António Costa said that the two were "not very far" from concluding a separate deal on which is a British Overseas Territory, is a 2.6 square mile headland to the south of UK has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, although this is disputed by Spain, who claim the territory as their territory's status and that of its border with Spain has been a key sticking point and has remained unresolved since estimated 15,000 people cross the Gibraltar-Spain border every day for work and leisure. Currently, Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped. Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID there were concerns this would end with the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit system later this year, causing huge delays at the border. Last month's deal UK-EU deal included confirmation there will be no legal barriers to UK citizens using e-gates, which should mean there won't be a return to passport a separate Gibraltar deal could reportedly make the territory an associate member of the Schengen zone, allowing people to cross freely and see physical border infrastructure opinion in Gibraltar, which has a population of 32,000 according to its government, is in favour of keeping British sovereignty. The most recent referendum, held in 2002, saw almost 99% of voters reject a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain.
