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UK protests after 'shots fired at jet skier' off Gibraltar UK protests after 'shots fired at jet skier' off Gibraltar
(about 1 hour later)
Britain has protested after shots were reportedly fired by a Spanish Guardia Civil vessel at a jet skier in British waters around Gibraltar.Britain has protested after shots were reportedly fired by a Spanish Guardia Civil vessel at a jet skier in British waters around Gibraltar.
Europe Minister David Lidington said a Spanish officer fired a weapon during an "illegal incursion" on Sunday.Europe Minister David Lidington said a Spanish officer fired a weapon during an "illegal incursion" on Sunday.
He said he had sought assurances from Spain that there would be no repeat of the incident.He said he had sought assurances from Spain that there would be no repeat of the incident.
But a spokesman for Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said "no incident" had taken place" and "no shot fired."
Spain disputes Gibraltar's sovereignty, which has been a British colony since 1713.Spain disputes Gibraltar's sovereignty, which has been a British colony since 1713.
The incident is understood to have involved a chase by the Guardia Civil vessel which pursued a Gibraltarian jet ski into British Gibraltar territorial waters. It has been reported in the Daily Mail that the incident involved a chase by the Guardia Civil vessel which pursued a Gibraltarian jet ski into British Gibraltar territorial waters.
Protest made Rumours dismissed
Onlookers were said to have seen large rubber or plastic baton rounds being fired from the Guardia Civil and splashing into the water.Onlookers were said to have seen large rubber or plastic baton rounds being fired from the Guardia Civil and splashing into the water.
The incident took place off a popular beach and it is understood the Royal Gibraltar Police took statements from witnesses, including the individual on the jet ski.
In a statement, Mr Lidington said: "I spoke today with Spanish minister for the European Union, Inigo Mendez de Vigo, in order to protest in the strongest terms following an incident on 23 June in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW).In a statement, Mr Lidington said: "I spoke today with Spanish minister for the European Union, Inigo Mendez de Vigo, in order to protest in the strongest terms following an incident on 23 June in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW).
"During an illegal incursion by a Guardia Civil vessel, a Guardia Civil officer fired a weapon."During an illegal incursion by a Guardia Civil vessel, a Guardia Civil officer fired a weapon.
"I made clear that the discharge of a weapon in or near Gibraltar is completely unacceptable. I urged Senor Mendez de Vigo to investigate urgently and to take action to ensure that this will not happen again."I made clear that the discharge of a weapon in or near Gibraltar is completely unacceptable. I urged Senor Mendez de Vigo to investigate urgently and to take action to ensure that this will not happen again.
"I can also confirm that I have instructed the chargé d'affaires in Madrid to reiterate this protest in person to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to request a full explanation.""I can also confirm that I have instructed the chargé d'affaires in Madrid to reiterate this protest in person to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to request a full explanation."
The spokesman at Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the BBC the Spanish government and the Spanish Civil Guard said that "no shot was fired".
The Spanish government said it was "disappointed" the British government had taken "widespread rumours as facts".
Asked whether there was an incident at all involving a jet-ski and the Spanish Civil Guard, the spokesman said "there was no incident".
In November, Spain and Britain summoned each other's ambassadors in a spat over a series of naval incidents around the small but strategically situated territory.In November, Spain and Britain summoned each other's ambassadors in a spat over a series of naval incidents around the small but strategically situated territory.