Jack Straw blasts Michael Howard for 'absurd jingoism' of Gibraltar war claim

Michael Howard: Picture credit - PA

Labour grandee Jack Straw has accused former Tory leader Michael Howard of peddling “19th Century jingoism” by suggesting Theresa May could go to war over Gibraltar.

The former foreign secretary said it was “frankly absurd” to suggest the UK would launch military action against Spain in the ongoing dispute about the future sovereignty of ‘the rock’.

A furious row has erupted over the status of the territory after the EU's draft negotiating guidelines suggested it would not be part of any EU-UK trade deal without Spanish approval.

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Former Home Secretary Lord Howard said the Prime Minister would defend Gibraltar with “the same resolve” as Margaret Thatcher did the Falklands.

But Straw hit back: “The idea of Britain going to war or Spain going to war against Britain over Gibraltar is frankly absurd and reeks of 19th Century jingoism.

“It’s not going to happen. Even General Franco, the Spanish dictator, never sought to claim the rock by military means.”

He said a deal over Gibraltar should be done in the circumstances of Brexit, after the territory voted by 96 per cent to Remain in the EU.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said of Lord Howard: "It looks like someone in the UK is losing their composure."

The peer had told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "I think there’s no question whatever that our government would stand by Gibraltar."

He added: "35 years ago this week another woman prime minister sent a taskforce halfway across the world to defend the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanish speaking country.

“And I’m absolutely certain that our current prime minister would show the same resolve in standing by the people of Gibraltar.”

Labour's shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry branded the comments "inflammatory" and said they would "not help Britain get what it needs from these difficult Brexit negotiations".

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron blasted: "In only a few days the Conservative right are turning long-term allies into potential enemies.

"I hope this isn't a sign of the government's approach to the long negotiations to come.

"Brexiteers have gone from cheering to sabre-rattling for war in four days, it is absolutely ludicrous."