Top General in urgent visit

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 Monday, October 14, 2019 - 10:50

LATE NEWS: A top UK General, the Commander of the Joint Forces Command which Gibraltar comes under, has made a lightning visit to Gibraltar, inspecting military units.

General Patrick Sanders visited British Forces Gibraltar on Friday in an unannounced visit. He took up the post of Commander Joint Forces Command earlier this year, and this was his first visit to the Rock. 

During his flying he toured a number of MOD sites, meeting with civilian and service personnel from British Forces Gibraltar, said an official statement after the visit.

"Despite arriving and departing on the same day, General Sanders "managed to cover a considerable amount of business," said an MOD statement.

He intends to return to Gibraltar regularly over the coming months to remain up to speed with the many activities that British Forces Gibraltar undertakes, said spokesperson.

Gibraltar may well have become an increasing hot potato in military terms with the Spanish Government making statements such as that the British waters of Gibraltar are Spanish. There are also regular incursions by Spanish vessels of such waters and last week a Spanish helicopter made an incursion over Gibraltar air-space.

The top Commander called on the Governor and Chief Minister whilst in Gibraltar. He also visited the new Service families accommodation at Four Corners.

Last Friday, the Chief Minister told PANORAMA exclusively that 'Spain cannot be a partner in law enforcement at sea until she accepts our jurisdiction over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, "a broadside at the RGP Commissioner whose so-called 'cooperation' with Spanish enforcement agents may be weakening the British position in such a sensitive political matter as Gibraltar's sovereignty over its waters.

14-10-2019 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR