Brexit
Gibraltar has said it wants to remain in the EU and that cancelling Article 50 would be ‘the best possible outcome’.
The British Overseas Territory made the comments in a press release yesterday just hours after the UK’s Labour Party announced it would support a second referendum.
Gibraltar said: “Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar would back a ‘remain’ outcome in such a referendum
It added that it was concerned over British Prime Minister Theresa May’s delaying of a meaningful vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just two weeks before the UK departure date.
If her deal is rejected, MPs will then vote on whether they want to leave the EU with or without a deal on March 13, before a vote is held on extending Article 50.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said “The position of the Gibraltar Government is that Gibraltar must continue to prepare for all eventualities as we leave the EU. Therefore the detailed and serious planning for a no deal Brexit will continue.”
Exhumation
A Madrid court has provisionally suspended a license to exhume Gen. Francisco Franco from the Valley of the Fallen.
Following a private lawsuit, a court order approved the provisional suspension of a building license issued by the City Council of the municipality that is home to the monumental basilica.
Racial Abuse
A plane passenger who racially abused a 78-year-old woman faces prosecution in Spain after authorities in Britain said they had no power to charge him.
David Mesher, who lives in Birmingham, was filmed calling Delsie Gayle names on a flight from Barcelona to London on October 19 last year.
Spanish authorities confirmed yesterday that criminal proceedings have been launched against him, one day after Essex Police said prosecutors in Britain could not charge him.
Ryanair was also criticised by authorities in Spain after asking Ms Gayle to change seat “instead of the aggressor.
A spokeswoman for Barcelona City Hall said “After the incident Barcelona City Hall presented the complaint to the public prosecutor as a hate crime case.
Money Laundering
Former Barcelona Football Club president Sandro Rosell denied money laundering charges in court yesterday, saying he did nothing illegal in relation to the sale of TV rights for matches involving the Brazil national team.
The former Nike executive in Brazil, who presided over Barcelona from 2010-14, has been accused of misappropriating funds coming from the sale of TV rights and the organization of friendly matches featuring Brazil as well as from a sponsorship contract with Nike. He is also charged with forming part of a criminal organization.
Spanish prosecutors are seeking an 11-year prison sentence, plus a fine of nearly 60 million euros.
Rosell denied the charges.