Gibraltar accuses of Spain of ‘sabre-rattling like North Korea’

Tensions over Gibraltar escalated yesterday when the British territory’s chief minister accused Spain of “sabre-rattling” and behaving like North Korea after Madrid floated the idea of a new border crossing fee and airspace controls.

British prime minister David Cameron is “seriously concerned” about the situation and has demanded an explanation from the Spanish government about the proposals, his spokesman said.

The rocky outcrop at the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula has long been a source of friction between the two countries, even though they are Nato allies and EU partners.