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Gibraltar has long been a point of contention between the Spanish and British Government, with Madrid moving in to demand more control over the Rock as part of the Brexit negotiations with the European Union. Gibraltar has been a British overseas territory since 1704 and support for that status still widely remains on the rock. Royal Elcano Institute director Charles Powell warned Brussels could now favour the Spanish Government in talks over the sovereignty of Gibraltar as Britain stops being an EU member state. Mr Powell said: "In a sense, Britain has to accept that from now on the Commission will be on Spain’s side, because Spain is a member and Britain is not." Mr Powell said: "In a sense, Britain has to accept that from now on the Commission will be on Spain’s side, because Spain is a member and Britain is not."

GETTY Brexit news: Madrid has demanded joint sovereignty over Gibraltar after the UK leaves the EU

Gibraltar became a member of the EU by joining the European Economic Community as part of the United Kingdom in 1973. The Rock is, however, not part of the EU customs union and VAT area and is exempted from the Common Agricultural Policy. Gibraltar has held two referendums over the years to establish its residents would rather remain British instead of joining Spain. But Secretary of State for the European Union Diego López Garrido claimed the Briitish Government's behaviour on Gibraltar was "unacceptable". Mr López Garrido said London should enter talks with Madrid to discuss the future relations between the two states concerning the Rock.

Britain has to accept that from now on the Commission will be on Spain’s side Charles Powell