The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, met with the new Minister for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan, at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London on Wednesday.

The meeting was cordial and positive and reflected Sir Alan's obvious deep and long-held affection for Gibraltar. He had lived on the Rock when he was a child and his father was posted here with the Royal Air Force.

The Chief Minister was able to set out the concerns that Brexit has created in Gibraltar. He also outlined the opportunities that could now be exploited as a result of a new relationship with the EU.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP, said: “This meeting is part of the continuing work that the Government is doing to put across the Gibraltar point of view to decision-makers in the United Kingdom. We have, since the EU referendum, discussed Gibraltar with the new Prime Minister Theresa May, the new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the new Europe Minister Sir Alan Duncan, among others. This work will continue as we explore all the options going forward.

“Sir Alan came across to me as instinctively pro-Gibraltar. I am confident that there is a strong desire on his part to work with Gibraltar to secure a successful future that will guarantee our prosperity. I am also clear that there is absolutely no suggestion that the United Kingdom will ever compromise at all on its commitment to respect and maintain our British Sovereignty. The double-lock commitment is strong and unshakeable. We will be able to continue to work collegiately and closely with Sir Alan as we embark with the UK in the negotiations in months and years to come in order to deliver the key factors that are important for Gibraltar as the UK leaves the European Union."