Spain denies further rifts with UK on Gibraltar

Spain’s Foreign Ministry today denied a report that Royal Marines landed on a Spanish beach next to Gibraltar as part of an intentional ploy to torpedo talks on the future of the Rock.

The El Mundo newspaper ran the story on its front as British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his Spanish counterpart Josep Pique and were due to meet in London.

It quoted unnamed Spanish government sources as saying an investigation led to suspicions about the February 17 invasion of a beach at La Linea by about 20 armed Marines.

El Mundo said the findings cast doubt on London’s claims that bad weather caused a map-reading error, and noted that British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has opposed any concessions in the talks.

But a Spanish Foreign Ministry spokesman said the government "never considered this hypothesis" and believes the British apology is sincere.

The spokesman rejected further Spanish reports that both sides are on the verge of "throwing in the towel" due to irreconcilable differences.

Britain's Europe Minister Peter Hain last week said Britain and Spain were still far from agreement on the disputed territory, and may miss their July deadline for striking a deal.

Talks reportedly centre on a plan to share sovereignty - a concept vehemently opposed by most of Gibraltar’s 35,000 residents and by many in Britain.

London has said residents will be given the final say on any agreement, but Spain opposes a referendum.