Spain: Sanchez withdraws Brexit veto threat after Gibraltar concessions

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he had reached a deal with the European Union regarding the status of post-Brexit Gibraltar during a briefing in Madrid on Saturday.

The agreement means that British Prime Minister Theresa May can now have her Brexit deal approved by an EU summit, which is being held in Brussels on Sunday.

"Europe and the UK have both accepted the demands made by Spain. This is important because it means Spain can now dismiss its veto and vote in favour of Brexit," Sanchez said.

Sanchez explained that Article 184, which had proved a sticking point, had been discarded in an 'historic' move.

"Once the United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union, Gibraltar's legal, political and geographic relationship with the EU will pass through Spain," he said. "Gibraltar will be excluded from general negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU, this means Spain can have direct negotiations with the UK regarding Gibraltar."

Spain, Sanchez said, will now be able to talk to Westminster regarding Gibraltar's sovereignty.

He added that he had received 'historic written confirmation' from the British government regarding Article 184.

Madrid had previously threatened to veto any Brexit deals should it not receive concessions regarding Gibraltar's status.

MANDATORY CREDIT: Moncloa