Spain accused of behaving in a 'hateful fashion' after blocking aid for typhoon victims

A British MP has accused Spain of acting in a ‘hateful fashion’ after it stopped a truck loaded with aid for the victims of the Philippines typhoon from leaving Gibraltar.

The vehicle, carrying food, blankets and clothes, was heading to the Spanish port city of Algeciras, where its container was to have been loaded on to a ship bound for Manila. 

The supplies had been collected by a Gibraltar charity at jumbles sales, and were to be given to families left homeless by Typhoon Haiyan.

Spanish officials at the border town of La Linea stopped the truck, saying they were unable to give authorisation for the food – which was mainly tinned or in packets – to be moved within the European Union.

MPs accused the Spanish authorities of creating yet more hassle for Gibraltarians, as part of the dispute with Britain over sovereignty of the Rock.

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: ‘The  Spanish are behaving in a hateful fashion. 

‘We are fast reaching a point where Britain will have no choice but to show Madrid – in a drastic way – that their behaviour will  not be tolerated.’