On Wednesday, a British Airways flight from Gibraltar to London was cancelled after Spanish border guards refused to follow established protocols allowing passengers to fly from Malaga airport when their flight is diverted.

The flight was diverted because of poor weather conditions on the Rock, but the airline cancelled the return leg after Spanish officers refused to allow non-EU passengers in Gibraltar to be ferried to Malaga.

Earlier this week, Spain’s foreign minister warned the UK to accept the “generous” Brexit demands before new EU electronic border rules came into force on Nov 10. Brussels has since delayed the deadline.

Former armed forces minister and Tory MP Mark Francois, said, “It’s absolutely no surprise that, following Labour’s abject surrender of the Chagos Islands, Spain is now also trying its luck, by exerting pressure on Gibraltar.

“This hapless Government simply doesn’t understand that appeasement hardly ever works and now the consequences are playing out. Hopeless!”

“This action by Spain occurred without any prior warning whatsoever,” Gibraltar’s government said in a statement.

“After further investigation, it became apparent the decision to suspend the interim measures had not been made by or notified to the Spanish ministers of the interior or the exterior.

“It appears that the instruction was given in writing by an officer of the Spanish Policia Nacional in La Linea, of the rank of Inspector, who was not authorised to give that instruction by his superior.”