PROPERTY SEARCH
PROPERTY SEARCH
ARCHIVED - Former Deputy PM Dominic Raab accused of bullying UK Ambassador to Spain over Gibraltar deal
The British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, reportedly engaged in secret negotiations over the Gibraltar border
With the ink hardly dry on the UK-Spain driving licence agreement, Ambassador Hugh Elliott is rarely out of the spotlight, but this week he is at the centre of a political storm after an investigation found that former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab “bullied” him during the crucial Brexit negotiations on the Gibraltar border.
Two complaints were made against the ex-Deputy PM following his dramatic resignation, and one centred around the British ambassador’s discussions to allow Spanish officials guard the airport and port on the Rock. This Monday (April 24), Adam Tolley QC found that Mr Raab acted in an “unreasonably and persistently aggressive” way towards Hugh Elliott.
Sources claim that word reached Mr Raab in late 2020 that Mr Elliott was in secret negotiations with his Spanish counterparts to allow some Spanish officers remain permanently stationed at the busy Gibraltar border. This, according to the former Deputy PM, was far beyond the ambassador’s remit, since the UK has long been opposed to Spain managing the borders.
Mr Raab reportedly summoned Mr Elliott to a meeting in London, where the ambassador was firmly pushed into the background of the Brexit Gibraltar negotiations and Simon Manley stepped to the forefront of the talks.
On reviewing the evidence, Monday’s judgement found that Mr Raab’s conduct throughout “involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates”.
Moreover, it said that Mr Raab hinted the behaviour of the ambassador was “in breach of the Civil Service Code (and so would have been in breach of their contracts of employment)”.
This, it is said, could easily have been construed as a threat by those involved.
The Gibraltar agreement was eventually reached on New Year’s Eve of 2020, but relations still remain strained between the UK and the EU over the border management.
Image: Archive
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
